In a moment that immediately set social media ablaze, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith broke his silence on the escalating backlash over Bad Bunny’s controversial selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer. While thousands of fans — and even some NFL players — have threatened to boycott, Smith stunned the nation by delivering a passionate defense of the Puerto Rican superstar.
Speaking at a press conference, Smith declared: “This country was built on freedom, not hate. Boycotting someone because of who they are or what they represent is un-American. If Bad Bunny has earned the stage, then let him perform.”
The statement drew immediate, polarized reactions. Supporters hailed Smith as brave, applauding his stand for inclusivity at a time when the NFL is under immense pressure to choose “traditional American” acts. Critics, however, blasted him for siding with what they call a “woke agenda.”
Inside the league, the fallout has been just as explosive. Some players have echoed Smith’s sentiment, saying the NFL cannot claim to be “the shield of America” while silencing freedom of expression. Others remain firm in their calls for the halftime show to replace Bad Bunny with a U.S.-born artist.
Whether one agrees or not, one thing is certain: Devonta Smith has taken the debate out of the locker room and into the heart of America’s culture war. And with the Super Bowl just weeks away, the storm is only growing.