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In a night full of historic milestones, Puerto Rican superstar Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, delivered a halftime performance for the ages at Super Bowl LX, while the Seattle Seahawks captured their second NFL championship with a commanding 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots. The game, held Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, marked the second time the venue hosted a Super Bowl and the third in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bad Bunny’s electrifying 13-minute set made history as the first Super Bowl halftime show primarily performed in Spanish in six decades. With surprise appearances from Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga, the global icon transcended entertainment to deliver a powerful social message: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” In an era of intense political polarization and increasingly divisive rhetoric, Benito’s performance resonated across borders, offering a unifying message to millions of viewers around the world.
The performance culminated with Bad Bunny’s Grammy-winning hit Debí Tirar Más Fotos (“I Should’ve Taken More Pictures”), closing a performance that NFL executives described as central to the league’s strategy to expand its international reach and grow its Latino audience. Marissa Solis, NFL Senior Vice President, noted that the U.S. Latino population, estimated at over 70 million, represents a critical growth area for the league. The performance followed Bad Bunny’s previous Super Bowl appearance as a guest during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show, solidifying his status as a cultural force bridging music, sports, and social influence.
While the halftime show made headlines for its historic and cultural significance, the on-field action was equally unforgettable. The Seattle Seahawks dominated the New England Patriots behind a suffocating defense and record-setting performance by kicker Jason Myers. The Seahawks pressured rookie quarterback Drake Maye throughout the contest, limiting New England’s offensive opportunities and producing the decisive play early in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown after cornerback Devon Witherspoon deflected Maye’s pass, extending Seattle’s lead and effectively sealing the victory.
Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III anchored the offense with a dominant ground game, rushing for 135 yards and earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Walker became the first running back to claim the award since Terrell Davis. Quarterback Sam Darnold managed the game efficiently, connecting with tight end AJ Barner for Seattle’s lone offensive touchdown, while Myers contributed an unprecedented five field goals, setting a new Super Bowl record.
The Seahawks entered Super Bowl LX with a 14–3 regular-season record, securing the National Football Conference’s top seed, and earned their championship berth after playoff victories over the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. New England, also 14–3 and seeking a record seventh Super Bowl title, advanced after wins against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos. The matchup served as a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, which the Patriots won 28–24 eleven years earlier.
Seattle’s defensive dominance defined the game. Cornerback Witherspoon, Byron Murphy II, Derick Hall, and Nwosu consistently pressured Maye, who had led the AFC in passing yards and touchdowns during the regular season. The Seahawks’ defensive performance held the Patriots scoreless through three quarters, marking the second Super Bowl in history without a touchdown through the first three periods. Field goals in the early quarters established Seattle’s lead, while a late fourth-quarter rally by New England failed to overcome Seattle’s advantage.
Amid the athletic excellence, Bad Bunny’s performance represented a cultural and social milestone. By headlining the show primarily in Spanish, the Puerto Rican rapper and singer challenged norms and amplified Latino representation on one of the largest entertainment stages in the world. His final words, “God bless America and the rest of the continent,” as he named each country, emphasized his message of unity and cross-cultural connection, resonating with viewers in the United States, Latin America, and beyond.
The significance of Bad Bunny’s selection was not without controversy. In October 2025, conservative organization Turning Point USA announced an alternate “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The program, highlighting themes of “faith, family, and freedom,” streamed live on YouTube and Rumble, drawing more than six million concurrent viewers at its peak. The event concluded with a tribute to the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in 2025. Despite the alternate event, NFL executives defended Bad Bunny’s performance as a reflection of the league’s commitment to diversity and global engagement.
As the final seconds ticked away at Levi’s Stadium, the Seahawks celebrated their second Super Bowl title, joining a select group of franchises with multiple championships. The victory also marked the first Super Bowl appearance for head coach Mike Macdonald since 2014 and reinforced Seattle’s reputation for elite defensive play. Meanwhile, New England, led by first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, reached its 12th Super Bowl appearance, extending the franchise’s record while falling short in pursuit of an unprecedented seventh title.
Beyond the scoreboard, the 2026 Super Bowl highlighted the intersection of sport, culture, and social influence. Bad Bunny’s halftime show provided a transcendent moment in which music and message intersected, offering hope, unity, and a reminder of the power of love over division. His words and performance, combined with Seattle’s dominant victory, created a night to remember—not only for NFL fans but for millions worldwide who witnessed history being made both on the field and on stage.
In a time of heightened global tensions and social divisions, Super Bowl LX will be remembered not only for the Seahawks’ defensive mastery and Walker’s MVP performance but also for Bad Bunny’s historic cultural impact. Through music, language, and message, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio reminded viewers that entertainment can inspire, unite, and transcend borders, proving once again that the power of love can be louder than the forces that seek to divide.
