Lead
The NFL announced on Nov. 30 a pregame music lineup and an unprecedented multilingual signing program to precede Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8. Charlie Puth will sing the National Anthem, Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The league named American Sign Language interpreters for the pregame songs and said Puerto Rican Sign Language will be incorporated into the halftime signing, led by deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme. League and production officials described the move as an accessibility and cultural milestone for Super Bowl LX.
Key Takeaways
- Charlie Puth is scheduled to perform the National Anthem on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX.
- Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will sing the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
- ASL interpreters Fred Beam and Julian Ortiz will sign the pregame songs; Fred Beam will sign the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” while Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful.”
- The halftime show will introduce Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation for the first time, led by Celimar Rivera Cosme in collaboration with LOVE SIGN and Deaf Equality.
- Production partners named include Diversified Production Services, Roc Nation and executive producer Jesse Collins.
- The announcement was made during the Nov. 30 NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders.
- The Bay Area will host related fan events and concerts featuring artists such as Sting, the Killers and Kehlani in the lead-up to the game.
- The decision has prompted both praise for accessibility and cultural representation and political criticism directed at Bad Bunny from some public figures.
Background
The Super Bowl halftime show has grown into one of the world’s most-watched live music events, and recent editions have sought broader cultural reach and technical innovation. Organizers increasingly emphasize inclusion—both in artist selection and in making shows accessible to diverse audiences. Bad Bunny, an international reggaeton star from Puerto Rico, has been announced as the halftime headliner, marking a notable moment for Spanish-language music on the Super Bowl stage.
In recent years NFL halftime programming has attracted debate about performer selection, content and the league’s broader cultural positioning. Producers Roc Nation and Jesse Collins have worked with the league on prior high-profile productions, and this year’s plan highlights collaborations with accessibility specialists Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality. The inclusion of Puerto Rican Sign Language signals a new step in representing linguistic diversity among deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Main Event
The NFL revealed the lineup and accessibility plans mid-game on Nov. 30 during the Denver Broncos–Washington Commanders matchup, naming Charlie Puth as the National Anthem singer. Jon Barker, the NFL’s senior vice president of global event production, framed the choices as spotlighting artists who ‘‘embody the very best of music and culture’’ and who will ‘‘set the tone’’ for game day.
Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones were confirmed for pregame performances of “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” respectively. The league also announced that Fred Beam will sign both the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” while Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful,” ensuring signed access for major pregame pieces.
For the halftime show, the NFL and producers said a multilingual signing program will include Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation, led by Celimar Rivera Cosme, a deaf performer from Puerto Rico. The signed performances are described as collaborative efforts with LOVE SIGN and Deaf Equality, organizations that work on artistic song-signing and deaf community access.
Production credits list Diversified Production Services as the show producer and Roc Nation alongside Jesse Collins as executive producers. The Bay Area lead-up to Super Bowl LX will feature a roster of concerts and activations across San Francisco and the South Bay, with acts such as Sting, the Killers and Oakland native Kehlani appearing at various events.
Analysis & Implications
The NFL’s move to include Puerto Rican Sign Language and multiple signed pregame performances is significant both symbolically and practically. Symbolically, it recognizes linguistic diversity within the deaf community and acknowledges Puerto Rico’s cultural presence on a global entertainment platform. Practically, the initiative broadens direct access for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers who use sign languages other than ASL, though rollout details will determine real-world impact.
For Bad Bunny’s team and the NFL, the program may deepen engagement with Spanish-speaking and Puerto Rican audiences while also positioning the league as responsive to disability-accessibility advocates. The presence of named signers and collaboration with specialist groups suggests planning beyond single-camera close-ups, but technical staging will be key to whether those interpretations are visible and meaningful to broadcast viewers.
Politically, the announcement has already drawn criticism from some public figures who have opposed Bad Bunny’s politics and Spanish-language music; the league’s decision to proceed underscores a willingness to prioritize artistic and cultural diversity despite controversy. Commercially, a high-profile, inclusive halftime that integrates multilingual signing could expand viewership among new demographics and generate additional media attention leading up to the game.
Comparison & Data
| Role | Performer/Signer | Piece/Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| National Anthem | Charlie Puth | Vocal performance |
| America the Beautiful | Brandi Carlile | Vocal performance |
| Lift Every Voice and Sing | Coco Jones | Vocal performance |
| Sign Interpretation (National Anthem & Lift Every Voice) | Fred Beam | ASL signing |
| Sign Interpretation (America the Beautiful) | Julian Ortiz | ASL signing |
| Halftime Signing Lead | Celimar Rivera Cosme | Puerto Rican Sign Language coordination |
The table above summarizes announced performers, interpreters and roles. While many Super Bowl productions include accessibility accommodations, this event marks the first public commitment to incorporate Puerto Rican Sign Language into a halftime signing program, according to production statements. The effectiveness of that inclusion will depend on camera direction, broadcast placement and on-site visuals that producers and broadcasters must coordinate.
Reactions & Quotes
League production executives framed the announcements as an artistic and cultural statement intended to elevate the show and broaden its reach. Jon Barker emphasized the roster’s cultural resonance and its role in setting the game-day tone before live audiences and global viewers.
“We’re proud to spotlight artists who embody the very best of music and culture,”
Jon Barker, NFL (senior vice president, global event production)
Roc Nation’s leadership highlighted the moment’s blend of performance and cultural significance while naming partners who will deliver the signed work. Desiree Perez positioned the program as a fitting kickoff for the day’s entertainment.
“This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day,”
Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation
Public responses have ranged from praise for accessibility and representation to criticism from political figures who have previously objected to aspects of Bad Bunny’s music and public positions. Producers and the league have signaled they will move forward with the planned lineup and accessibility features.
Unconfirmed
- Exact staging plans and how much on-screen time PRSL interpreters will receive during the halftime broadcast have not been published by the NFL or producers.
- Details of Bad Bunny’s set list, guest performers and whether political material will feature in the halftime performance remain unannounced.
- The extent to which Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation will be available across all broadcast feeds or only in specific camera shots is not yet confirmed.
Bottom Line
The NFL’s announcement combines star-studded pregame performers with an unprecedented multilingual signing initiative that spotlights Puerto Rican Sign Language ahead of Bad Bunny’s halftime headlining. If effectively executed on camera and in-stadium, the program could represent a meaningful step toward broader linguistic and disability inclusion at one of the world’s largest live-audience events.
Watch for technical execution details from producers and broadcasters between now and Feb. 8: camera choices, how many signers are visible at once, and whether multi-language signing appears across feeds will determine whether this initiative is primarily symbolic or substantively accessible. The league’s decision to proceed despite political pushback signals an institutional commitment to the planned lineup and its accessibility components.
Sources
- San Francisco Chronicle — news report (Nov. 30, 2025)
- NFL — official league site (production and event authority)
- Roc Nation — production/management company (official)