Transcription
In just a few months, Levi Stadium will go from hosting 49ers games to quite possibly the biggest sporting event in the country, the Super Bowl.
"Love it. I can't wait to have everybody here. I mean, look at all these good vibes. Football is football is family. I just can't I honestly can't wait."
This year, the event comes with its own [music] set of controversies. The NFL announced Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny as the game's halftime show performer, sparking conservative outrage.
"Do you think maybe we should just kind of entertain blowing off the NFL like a boycott or something along those lines? This guy does not seem like a unifying entertainer."
The Latin trap artist has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, choosing to leave the US mainland out of his world tour for fears of ICE targeting his fans. Homeland Security Secretary Christy Nome responded, "Will there be ICE enforcement at the Super Bowl? There will be because the Department of Homeland Security is uh responsible for keeping it safe. Um so I have the responsibility for making sure everybody who goes to the Super Bowl has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave. And that's what America is about. So yeah, we'll be all over that place and I can't. We're going to enforce the law. So I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they're law-abiding Americans who love this country."
Some fans were unfazed by her comments.
"You know, I think it'll be fine. It's I think there's it's a lot with media that's building up more than it really is. I think uh Bad Bunny will be a good entertainer and it should be fine."
For others, Gnome's response raised alarm bells. Santa Clara County officials and community organizations are preparing for the worst. Increased ICE enforcement under President Donald Trump has already been disruptive and concerning for residents.
"Uh if they're actually, let's say, no folks having tailgate party and they're listening to music other than English like Spanish music or music of another language. If you're harassing people just because of their music taste, uh that's absolutely uh uncalled for."
And in a statement to Bay Area News Group, a spokesperson said, "The city is proud to be one of the safest in the nation, and our police department's top priority is the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors, including attendees, players, and staff during the Super Bowl. Immigration enforcement is not within the city scope or authority."
To protect residents, local government officials in Santa Clair County's rapid response network are devising a Super Bowl plan.
"We refuse to operate on fear. We would rather folks be prepared. Um we'd rather families be um ready and have their plans in place and we certainly don't need the type of chaos that could be created by by ICE agents."
"Honestly, send that hate somewhere else, please. Yes. Yes. Because that's that's just not needed here. Like bae is family, football's family. Literally like music is family. Like please, just please."