I rarely watch football. Since my stepson Caleb’s passing in 2019, I find it difficult to get to into the football season like I previously did. Football was our shared entry point for our relationship. We would talk for hours over the game. Reflecting on stats, careers, trivia, and fantasy league. With him I almost won my fantasy league and then a few months later he was gone. A victim of a rare liver disease called Budd-Chiari Syndrome.

I chose to watch this Super Bowl as the Patriots were Caleb’s team. The Seahawks are my eldest son’s team. This match up was a family affair. Then we have the special performance by Bad Bunny at halftime.

Caleb’s team ended up on the losing end of this game. My eldest will be smiling from ear to ear for the next year. I was just glad I didn’t have to hear about the Chiefs again from my eldest stepson. My youngest boy is a Bears fan. The Bears were also my team, but after Caleb’s passing… I just couldn’t root for anyone. I have no allegiance to any franchise or the NFL, but a little something moved me to appreciate the NFL far more than I ever imagined. Maybe this opens a door to finding the game again… I will leave it ajar…

My reflection starts with the announcement that Bad Bunny was going to be the Super Bowl half time entertainment. I had no idea who he was an artist. That quickly changed. The more I read and listened the more I loved this move by the NFL. I felt this was part of a calculated political statement by the NFL on many counts. First is the marketing of the game to Latin America. American Football is becoming a worldwide game. Bad Bunny opens this market wide open.

Secondly, the NFL has always had a grudge against the President of the United States. The leagues owners during the 70’s and 80’s blocked him from owning a franchise. This led to the rise of the United States Football League(USFL.) Unfortunately the USFL faltered when they shifted their season to be identical with the NFL. The anti-trust lawsuit filed by then citizen 47 against the NFL led to a victory for the loud mouth playboy. The damages awarded though was significant. The court awarded him a $1. One single dollar. Citizen 47 won, but the NFL did not have to go to work with him. The court gave the NFL control of the product called professional (American) football.

There are ownership groups with investors that know this entire history. I’m started drawing a conclusion that the NFL was going to make a large subtle political statement against MAGA and $47. My circumstantial evidence though was very weak at best.

Then the NFL named Green Day as pre-game entertainment. Name one artist that has been more critical than Green Day against the MAGA movement? Bruce Springsteen, Robert Deniro, etc… But Green Day changed their whole song to attack this movement. More evidence… I’ve never been a fan of Green Day… but I respect them for their honesty and opinion….

(Special Note) I like the inclusion of Lift Every Voice and Sing in the NFL events, but this feels a bit shallow without an apology to Colin Kaepernick. Colin took a huge risk, and lost his career as a professional football player using his position to advocate for justice for the African-American Community. It was his courage that led to some change… …Can we do more… please???

Gameday… Brandi Carlisle sings America the Beautiful. This one caught me off guard as I was not following the game that closely. Here is a LGBTQA artist/activist singing our nation’s hymn. Perfect… more evidence

Then came the half time production, and I was blown away. Every single moment was pure magic. Puerto Rico’s culture was displayed in the most sincere and honest way. The contributions of Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga to the performance was not lost on me either. Seeing Ricky singing, brought so much emotion for me as I have been a fan of his for years. His music is a weakness of mine. The love Bad Bunny was sharing was generational. The wedding was a celebration of love now. Real Cake even!!! Every single detail from the sugar cane fields to the Bodega. I didn’t need to understand the Spanish words to know what was being communicated.

The conclusion was spectacular as Bad Bunny rattled off every single American Nation. We are America (North and South.) It isn’t just about the USA. Then it was followed by the football message and then the Scoreboard message. “The only thing stronger than hate is love.” It brings a tear to my eye reflecting on all of this patriotism and love through art and music. None of it appeared to have been censored by the NFL in any shape or fashion.

The final piece of evidence was seeing commissioner Roger Goodell embrace Bad Bunny following the performance. I feel the NFL and their billionaires sent a message to MAGA and $47 with the help of every single one of these artists. “We are stronger together than your faction alone.” To get a little Star Trekker… “Out of many we are one people.”

If I could award a Pulitzer Prize in Music it would go to Bad Bunny for this singular performance. He made me proud to be an American again. He embodies the America I want for my children and all of my students. An artist that is young enough to be my son made me feel a glimmer of hope that one day soon we can seize our destiny back from the crazy, and usher in a new world order where despots can be thrown from their offices.

My only wish… I would have loved to have shared this moment with my stepson. He would have grasped the symbolism and the beauty of that night. Love is stronger than hate. Diversity makes us better. Thank you Benito!!! Thank you Roger Goodell!!! Thank you NFL. Thank you Puerto Rico!! I really appreciate the message you shared with the world. How can I help beyond this moment?

I dreamed a dream that one day people would celebrate like this. I just never imagined it would be on display on my television during a football game. Hug your children… Learn some Spanish… Let’s put these smug con artists in jail and set forth a new path for our collective America!!

Haz Que Suceda!!!