Geno Smith Defends Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance: "Music Is About Bringing People Together"
As the excitement builds for Super Bowl 2026, the announcement that Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show has sparked a whirlwind of opinions. While some critics, like former racecar driver Danica Patrick, have raised concerns about the artist performing in Spanish, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith is standing firm in support of the Latin music icon, emphasizing that music should transcend boundaries and unite us all.
Bad Bunny, who has become a global cultural phenomenon, is set to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, a moment that has already generated significant controversy. Patrick, known for her outspoken views, expressed her disapproval, stating that songs in Spanish should not be part of the Super Bowl, one of America’s most-watched events. "No songs in English should be allowed at one of America’s highest-rated television events of the year," Patrick wrote on X, adding an eye-roll emoji for emphasis. She also reposted a video accusing Bad Bunny of being a "demonic Marxist," a claim that quickly attracted widespread backlash.
In response, Smith, who is known for his leadership on the field and his thoughtful approach to challenging situations, stepped into the conversation to defend Bad Bunny’s inclusion. "Music is about connection," Smith stated. "It’s about bringing people together, not dividing them. Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl isn’t just for Spanish speakers—it’s for everyone. It’s a celebration of culture, music, and the unique qualities that make us all different but still united. The Super Bowl is about bringing people together, and that’s exactly what Bad Bunny’s doing."
Smith also pointed out that the Super Bowl is a global event, watched by millions of people from all walks of life. "The Super Bowl isn’t just for one group of people. It’s for all of us. It’s about celebrating the diversity of cultures and the talent that makes the world a better place," Smith added. "Bad Bunny is using his platform to represent his culture, and that’s something that should be embraced, not criticized."
The controversy over Bad Bunny’s performance only deepened when the artist revealed that he would avoid performing in the U.S. during his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, citing concerns over the political climate and the increased activity of ICE under the previous administration. However, the Super Bowl remains an exception, providing Bad Bunny with a global stage to perform for millions of fans worldwide.
For Smith, the issue is simple: music is about uniting people, regardless of their language or background. "At the end of the day, music speaks to everyone. It’s not about the language—it’s about the message and the emotions it evokes," Smith concluded. "Bad Bunny’s performance is a celebration of his culture and his people. That’s something that should be respected and appreciated. It’s about bringing us all together through the power of music."
As Super Bowl 2026 approaches, Smith’s words serve as a reminder that music, in all its forms, should be a force for unity, helping to bridge cultural divides rather than creating them. With his defense of Bad Bunny, Smith encourages us all to embrace diversity and celebrate the power of music to bring the world together.
Titans Poised to End Three-Year Drought
It's hard to put into words how bad the Tennessee Titans have been these past few seasons. After rookie quarterback Cam Ward led them to their first win of the year, this next statistic should shed some light on their recent struggles. As Tennessee heads to Las Vegas in Week 6, they're looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2022.
Last year's 3-14 record has been discussed at nauseum, and it's a record head coach Brian Callahan doesn't plan on revisiting. After starting 0-4, they seemed destined to land in that category. Now, they may be in contention to finish with a record similar to 2022. There's still a lot of work to be done, but November 13 and November 17, 2022, was the last time Tennessee won two consecutive games.
Not only did they win back-to-back games in Week's 10 and 11 of the 2022 season, they did so on a short week. With just three days rest, Tennessee went to Lambeau Field and took down the Packers, 27-17, just days after they defeated the Denver Broncos, 17-10.
While a 7-10 record seems fantastic compared to what the Titans have done in their past few seasons, 2022 turned out to be a disaster. After starting 0-2, Tennessee won five straight games. Sitting at 5-2, they won of two of their next three and were a dominant 7-3. From there, they lost seven straight. Somehow, they fell to second place in the division after winning it back-to-back years.
Last year, the Titans had wins in Week 4, 9, and 12. In 2023, they had wins in Week 2, 4, 8, 12, and 14. Despite two of three on two occasions, they were never able to string together any wins. If they want to save their 2025 season, a win against the Raiders is crucial. While all hope was lost at 0-4, losing to a 1-4 team coming off an electric first win could be the final nail in the coffin.
Looking ahead, there are only a few instances where back-to-back wins seem possible. From Weeks 12-14, the Titans could sneak out wins against the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars, or Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. Then at the end of the season, they have a chance to steal a pair of wins from the New Orleans Saints and Jaguars. Knowing how well the Jaguars have been playing, those wins are much easier said than done. With key games against the Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs, the Titans sure have their work cut out for them.
Titans Can Breathe Sigh of Relief After First Win
The Tennessee Titans are in the win column after a 22-21 victory against the Arizona Cardinals.
The win eliminates the embarrassment of a potential winless season and gives the team some confidence going into the rest of the season. Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons explains how important it was for the team to pull out a win.
"It's a relief," Simmons said.
"We talk about just learning, finding a way to finish games, (and) finding a way to make a play. I think that's what we talk about. We've been talking about it… just fight to the end and we showed that today. Shoutout to even the special teams plays. Things like that change games. To be able to get a turnover and take care of the ball in 'two minutes' (two-minute situations). We worked the hell out of 'two minutes' (on) Thursday."
"We worked two minutes in the game. We talk about being good in situational football and I think that showed today. In 'two minutes' (QB) Cam (Ward) went down, had a hell of a drive, (found) 'Rid' (WR Calvin Ridley) on the sideline, and set it up for (K) Joey (Slye). It feels good as hell to finally get a win."
The Titans had fought all season long, but it was never enough for a win. Each week, it appeared the Titans were moving backwards despite progress in practice.
However, the Titans are no longer feeling that pressure after a win against the Cardinals. The victory could carry some momentum into future weeks.
"Winning solves everything," Simmons said.
"When you win a football game in the National Football League, that builds confidence. I think us winning today shows guys that we can win in this league even when we were down 21-6 going into the fourth quarter. Nobody stopped believing. We kept believing in each other and (knew) everyone was going to do their job when it really mattered. ... It feels good as hell to finally get a win."
The Titans can start a winning streak in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it will require them to showcase some of the growth they had ahead of the Cardinals game.
If the Titans can build on the foundation they have established over the past few weeks, they might be able to pull out a second consecutive road win.
