Roger Goodell reacts after Bad Bunny’s “ICE Out” moment goes viral

As the Super Bowl approaches, the NFL is once again caught in the crosshairs of sports, culture, and politics. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed questions Monday about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) being present at the Super Bowl, just days after halftime performer Bad Bunny used the Grammys stage to deliver a blunt message: “ICE out.”

Goodell weighs in on Bad Bunny, ICE, and the Super Bowl spotlight

During his annual State of the League address ahead of Super Bowl LX, Goodell struck a careful tone, emphasizing security protocols while also voicing strong support for Bad Bunny as an artist.

“Bad Bunny is one of the great artists in the world,” Goodell said. “That’s one of the reasons we chose him. But the other reason is he understands the platform he’s on, that it’s meant to unite people and bring them together.”

Bad Bunny’s comments came Sunday night at the Grammy Awards, where the Puerto Rican superstar won three awards, including Album of the year or “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTOoS”, making him the first Latin artist to win that top category. And Bad Bunny used his acceptance speech to denounce ICE and speak out in support of immigrants. He called for compassion and unity, saying, “We are humans, and we are Americans,” and urging people to respond to hate with love.

The moment quickly went viral and reignited debate over the NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime performer, particularly among conservative critics who have already pushed back against his outspoken activism.

The controversy intensified after previous comments from Department of Homeland Security officials suggested federal agents would have a visible presence at the Super Bowl. Asked directly about ICE being at the game, Goodell did not confirm specific enforcement activity but framed federal involvement as standard security procedure.

“Security is one of the things we focus on the most,” Goodell said. “The Super Bowl is a SEAR Level 1 event, which means coordination at the federal, state, and local levels. That’s been the case for decades, across administrations.”

Goodell emphasized that the league’s priority is safety, not politics, and said preparations for Sunday’s game reflect the same approach the NFL has taken for years. Still, the situation has placed the league in a delicate position. Bad Bunny’s Grammys remarks resonated deeply with many fans, particularly within Latino communities, while also drawing sharp criticism from political groups and commentators. Some conservative organizations have even announced alternative events in protest of his halftime show appearance.

Despite the noise, Goodell made clear the NFL has no intention of backing away from its choice.

“I think Bad Bunny understands the moment,” he said. “And I think he’ll deliver a great performance.”

Related stories

Super Bowl

Taylor Swift on 'turning down Super Bowl' rumor

NFL

Here’s every performer taking the Super Bowl stage this year

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.