In a shocking development shaking the NFL world, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has publicly signed a petition to permanently ban Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny from all future Super Bowl events. The petition, gaining rapid traction among conservative fans, cites the artist’s “non-American” status and eccentric persona as primary reasons for exclusion.
Schottenheimer, known for his no-nonsense coaching style, reportedly added his signature during a team meeting yesterday. Sources close to the coordinator claim he muttered something about protecting traditional American values before committing to the controversial document circulating online.
The petition originated from a fringe sports blog earlier this week, initially dismissed as satire. However, Schottenheimer’s endorsement has transformed it into a legitimate movement, with thousands of signatures pouring in from Cowboys faithful across Texas and beyond.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has never performed at a Super Bowl. The petition preemptively targets his potential future involvement, claiming his music and fashion choices represent everything wrong with modern entertainment infiltrating America’s greatest sporting event.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. When approached by reporters outside AT&T Stadium, Jones simply smiled and said he was focused on upcoming games, though his eyes reportedly twinkled with what some interpreted as approval.
Schottenheimer’s specific quote accompanying his signature reads: “He’s non-American and a weirdo who has no place representing our country’s biggest stage.” The statement has already gone viral, trending under #BanBadBunny across multiple social media platforms.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a brief statement neither condemning nor supporting the petition. “The league welcomes diverse entertainment but respects individual opinions,” read the carefully worded response from league headquarters in New York.
Bad Bunny’s management team responded swiftly through social media. “Benito is a proud Puerto Rican-American who pays more in taxes than most NFL owners. This petition exposes the hypocrisy of those claiming to protect American values,” their statement declared.
The controversy has divided Cowboys Nation. While older fans largely support Schottenheimer’s stance, younger supporters have organized counter-petitions celebrating Bad Bunny’s global influence and calling for his inclusion in future halftime shows.
Dallas-area radio stations have dedicated entire segments to debating the issue. Callers range from veterans praising Schottenheimer’s patriotism to teenagers defending Bad Bunny’s artistic freedom and cultural significance in modern America.
Puerto Rican community leaders in Texas have scheduled press conferences to address what they call “blatant discrimination.” Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua plans to speak about representation and the contributions of Latino Americans to both sports and entertainment.
Schottenheimer’s coaching staff appears split on the matter. Quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier reportedly tried to change the subject when asked about the petition, while defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer allegedly laughed and called it “classic Brian being Brian.”
The petition’s language specifically targets Bad Bunny’s fashion choices, including his painted nails, gender-fluid clothing, and colorful hair. Organizers claim these elements would “confuse and disturb” traditional Super Bowl viewers watching with their families.
Bad Bunny has built a massive following among NFL players themselves. Several Cowboys players follow him on social media, and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was spotted liking the artist’s recent Instagram post just hours after Schottenheimer’s signature became public.
This isn’t Schottenheimer’s first brush with controversy. The veteran coordinator previously made headlines for criticizing modern music during training camp, complaining that players’ playlists contained too much “mumble rap” and not enough classic rock.
The Super Bowl halftime show has evolved dramatically since its inception. What began with marching bands has transformed into a global spectacle featuring the biggest names in music, from Michael Jackson to Beyoncé to recent performances by Rihanna and Usher.
Critics of the petition point out that Puerto Rico is indeed part of the United States. “Calling Bad Bunny non-American is factually incorrect and geographically challenged,” tweeted one prominent sports journalist who covers the Cowboys beat.
Schottenheimer’s petition signature comes at a delicate time for the Cowboys organization. The team sits at 6-2 heading into their bye week, with playoff aspirations running high and national attention focused on America’s Team once again.
Player reactions in the locker room remain mixed but mostly private. One anonymous offensive lineman told reporters, “Coach Schott has his opinions, but we’re just trying to block and tackle. Music doesn’t affect my pass protection.”
The controversy has boosted Bad Bunny’s streaming numbers in Texas paradoxically. Spotify reports a 40% increase in the artist’s plays within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since Schottenheimer’s endorsement became public yesterday afternoon.
National media outlets have picked up the story, with ESPN dedicating a segment on SportsCenter to analyzing whether this petition represents a broader cultural divide within professional football and American society at large.
As the petition approaches 50,000 signatures, organizers have announced plans to present it directly to NFL headquarters. They demand an official policy preventing “foreign influencers” from participating in Super Bowl entertainment, though Bad Bunny’s American citizenship complicates their argument significantly.
The situation continues developing rapidly, with new signatures and reactions emerging by the hour. What began as a coordinator’s personal opinion has mushroomed into a national conversation about identity, entertainment, and the evolving face of America’s most popular sport.
