A Change.org petition calling to replace Bad Bunny with George Strait as the Super Bowl halftime show headliner has received 66,000 signatures and counting.

The online petition – which comes after much criticism aimed at the NFL and Roc Nation for selecting the Latin music superstar – says that while music's biggest stage has "leaned increasingly towards modern pop and international artists" in recent years, an artist like Strait "embodies the heart and soul of American music."

Bad Bunny, while a pop artist, is from Puerto Rico, an American territory.

"The 2026 Super Bowl offers a unique opportunity to pay tribute to American music's rich heritage by featuring George Strait in its halftime show," the petition continues. "With over 60 No. 1 hits and more than 40 years in the music industry, George Strait is not only a legend in the country music genre but a staple in American musical history. His ability to transcend generations with his timeless songs resonates with a diverse demographic, welcoming both long-time fans and newcomers."

Strait is known for the hits "Amarillo by Morning," "Check Yes Or No," "Carrying Your Love with Me" and "All My Ex's Live In Texas."

USA TODAY has reached out to Strait, Bad Bunny and Roc Nation's reps for comment.

Republican lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson – who suggested "God Bless the U.S.A." singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood as the headliner – and President Donald Trump have criticized Roc Nation and the NFL's choice to name Bad Bunny as the headliner. Roc Nation, the entertainment company owned by Jay-Z, has partnered with the league since 2019 to produce the halftime show. Performers since then have included Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, Usher, Rihanna, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar and a lineup featuring Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre and more.

"I never heard of him," Trump previously said of the move. "I don't know who he is, I don't know why they're doing it, it's like crazy. … Then they blame it on some promoter that they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it's absolutely ridiculous."

Bad Bunny, a reggaeton pioneer who sings almost exclusively in Spanish, is among the most popular musical artists in the world. From 2020 to 2022, he was the most-streamed artist in the world for three years running.

For the rapper-singer's part, he hinted at the backlash during his stint as host on "Saturday Night Live" in early October.

"You might not know this, but I'm doing the Super Bowl halftime show and I'm very happy," he said during his opening monologue on Oct. 4, then joked, "I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News."

Contributing: Anna Kaufman and Pamela Avila

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Petition to make George Strait Super Bowl headliner over Bad Bunny gets 66,000 signatures

Reporting by Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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