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Colts Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon Calls on NFL to Reconsider Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show — Super Bowl 2026 Faces Rising Scrutiny

Indianapolis, Indiana – The NFL’s offseason conversation took another sharp turn this week after Carlie Irsay-Gordon, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, publicly urged the league to reconsider Bad Bunny’s scheduled halftime performance at Super Bowl 2026. What began as quiet concern within ownership circles has now grown into a wider debate about tradition, fan identity, and the future direction of the league’s biggest stage.

According to league insiders, Irsay-Gordon’s concerns intensified following reports that Bad Bunny plans to use the halftime platform to honor Puerto Rican LGBTQ+ icons, including performing in a dress as a deliberate reference to drag culture and artistic resistance. While supporters describe the concept as expressive and modern, critics inside NFL circles worry the Super Bowl could drift away from its football-first identity.

Qui est Bad Bunny, le chanteur dont les places de concert en France vont  s'arracher à partir de vendredi ? - Le Parisien

As details surrounding the planned performance spread online, reactions across the league became increasingly polarized. For many longtime fans — particularly in traditional markets like Indianapolis — the halftime show is viewed as a complement to the championship, not a moment meant to redefine it. Within Colts circles, the prevailing belief is that the Super Bowl should remain a unifying event centered on the sport and the athletes who define it.

In comments shared with league officials and later echoed publicly, Irsay-Gordon struck a calm but firm tone. “There is room for creativity and celebration,” she said, “but the Super Bowl exists because of the game itself — the players, the coaches, and the fans who commit to this league year after year. Preserving that balance matters.” Her remarks were widely interpreted as a call for caution rather than confrontation.

All eyes are on the NFL's most atypical owner. Where will her curiosity  lead her next? - The Athletic

Irsay-Gordon’s stance has reportedly resonated with multiple owners, several of whom have expressed similar concerns privately. Sources indicate a growing belief among ownership that the NFL may be underestimating the reaction of its most loyal supporters. On social media, debate intensified, with fans split between defending artistic freedom and urging the league to reaffirm football tradition.

The NFL has not yet issued an official response, but executives are said to be actively discussing the situation. Adjusting the halftime plans could invite criticism over inclusivity, while staying the course risks alienating a segment of the league’s core audience — a delicate dilemma for a league built on both global appeal and deeply rooted loyalty.

With Super Bowl 2026 approaching, the halftime show has already become one of the most contentious off-field storylines of the year. Whether the league ultimately revises its vision or stands firm, Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s intervention has ensured that leadership decisions off the field will be scrutinized just as closely as the action on it.

NFL analyst and former QB Robert Griffin III caused a stir across the NFL after publicly apologizing to Lions star Jared Goff for posting false information on social media platform X (Twitter)
The NFL world briefly shifted its attention off the field this week when Robert Griffin III, now a prominent NFL analyst, issued a public apology to Jared Goff after posting incorrect information on X (formerly Twitter). The moment unfolded as Sam Darnold prepared for the first Super Bowl appearance of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Griffin’s original post was meant to highlight the significance of Drake Maye’s rapid rise, claiming that the Patriots quarterback had reached the Super Bowl before several well-known franchise quarterbacks. In that list, Griffin included Jared Goff — a statement that immediately raised eyebrows among fans and analysts familiar with NFL history. Drake Maye made it to a Super Bowl before Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence. — Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 25, 2026 Within minutes, the post was flagged by X’s Community Notes feature. Users quickly pointed out that Goff had already appeared in Super Bowl LIII, leading the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 2018 season. The correction spread rapidly, turning Griffin’s post into a viral example of how fast misinformation is challenged in today’s NFL discourse. Realizing the mistake, Griffin responded later that day with a short apology, acknowledging the error and taking responsibility. He followed up with a self-deprecating GIF, leaning into humor rather than defensiveness — a move that drew mixed reactions but diffused potential backlash. *Jared Goff did play in a Super Bowl. That’s my bad. pic.twitter.com/cOQMeKFwYt — Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 26, 2026 “I want to be clear about something,” Griffin wrote in a longer follow-up. “When you talk football publicly, accuracy matters. I missed one important detail, and that detail involved a quarterback who has earned his respect in this league. That’s on me. Jared deserved better than a rushed take.” The article revisits Goff’s Super Bowl appearance with the Rams, a 13–3 loss to the New England Patriots led by Tom Brady. That defensive battle is often viewed as a turning point, one that eventually influenced the Rams’ decision to move on from Goff in favor of Matthew Stafford. Despite what Griffin himself later jokingly called an “interception on social media,” he remained active online. He posted additional thoughts about Super Bowl LX, including commentary on a preseason NFL graphic that coincidentally positioned the eventual Super Bowl quarterbacks closest to the Lombardi Trophy. As the NFL turns its focus toward Santa Clara and the final game of the season, Griffin’s momentary misstep serves as a reminder of the scrutiny that comes with being a public voice in the sport. In an era where fans correct history in real time, even former quarterbacks aren’t immune — but owning the mistake can still earn respect.