Imagine a Super Bowl where politics and pop culture collide in the most unexpected way. That’s exactly what happened this year, thanks to 15,000 Bad Bunny-themed towels with a bold anti-ICE message. These aren’t your average rally towels—one side features a playful bunny graphic by renowned L.A. illustrator Lalo Alcaraz, honoring halftime performer Bad Bunny, while the other side declares “ICE OUT” in no uncertain terms. But how did these politically charged accessories make it into the hands of fans at Levi’s Stadium? And this is the part most people miss: activists strategically distributed them before the game, turning the Super Bowl into a platform for grassroots activism.
The NFL might prefer to keep politics off the field, but this year’s halftime show selection—Bad Bunny—has become a lightning rod for discussions about immigration and ICE raids. Just last week, the Puerto Rican superstar used his Grammy acceptance speech to condemn ICE, stating, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.” His words resonated deeply, especially as ICE raids have left a trail of devastation in American cities, including the deaths of protesters and detainees.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while the NFL tightly controls messaging during the halftime show, activists like Shasti Conrad, leader of Contra-ICE and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, see this as an opportunity to amplify their message. “Joy is resistance,” Conrad says. “Today is a celebration of American sports, but it’s also a chance to be heard. We’re showing there’s massive support to challenge Trump and the Department of Homeland Security.”
President Trump, unsurprisingly, wasn’t a fan. He openly criticized Bad Bunny and fellow performer Green Day, calling their involvement “terrible” and accusing them of “sowing hatred.” Meanwhile, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong didn’t hold back either, directly addressing ICE agents during their pre-game set: “Wherever you are: quit that s— job you have. Come on this side of the line.”
Lalo Alcaraz’s artwork on the towels isn’t just visually striking—it’s a powerful statement. “Art has always been a way to confront hate,” Alcaraz told The Times. “When injustice becomes part of everyday life, artists have a responsibility to make it visible.” The graphic includes subtle nods to Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican heritage, like the pava straw hat, alongside unapologetic anti-ICE imagery.
This isn’t the first time athletes and artists have spoken out. During the Winter Olympics, figures like Alysa Liu and Jessie Diggins voiced similar concerns, and the Grammys were filled with artists condemning ICE overreach. But Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance—while likely more celebratory than confrontational—is a statement in itself. As Conrad puts it, “He’s on the right side of history.”
Early Sunday, 50 Contra-ICE activists handed out towels to Patriots and Seahawks fans in Santa Clara. “It’s not the same as putting your body on the line,” Conrad admits, “but it’s going to be visible during the broadcast. I hope it gives people the courage to participate in their own way.”
And this is where you come in: Do you think the Super Bowl is the right place for political statements, or should sports remain a politics-free zone? With millions of eyes on the stadium, these towels—and the message they carry—are impossible to ignore. As Conrad notes, “The vast majority of Americans see ICE’s actions as overreach. They’re terrorizing communities, and even some Trump voters are having second thoughts.”
So, what’s your take? Is this a bold act of resistance or an unwelcome intrusion into America’s favorite pastime? Let’s hear it in the comments.
