With Super Bowl LIX set to take place this Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, a group of Louisiana lawmakers and Christian leaders are calling on event organizers to ensure the halftime show meets community decency standards and remains appropriate for families.
In an open letter published last month, 17 Republican members of the Louisiana Legislature, along with faith leaders and Christian advocacy groups, including Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, voiced concerns over previous halftime performances that they say were “increasingly vile” and inappropriate for children.
The letter, addressed to Phillip Sherman of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and Robert Vosbien of the Louisiana Stadium and Expo District, points out that the state of Louisiana allocated $10 million in taxpayer funds to help fund Super Bowl-related events.
Considering that financial investment, the signatories argue that taxpayers deserve to have a say in the type of entertainment that will be broadcast to millions of families across the country.
“While certainly a large amount of support exists among many Louisianians who are excited about the Super Bowl coming back to New Orleans, many are also hardworking taxpayers with children who have serious concerns about the fact that past Super Bowl halftime performances have been less than family-friendly,” the letter states.
Lawmakers and Christian leaders are asking organizers to ensure that this year’s halftime performers adhere to Louisiana’s community decency standards, urging them to protect children from inappropriate content during one of the year’s most-watched television events.
The letter highlights past Super Bowl halftime performances that were deemed inappropriate by many viewers, including:
- Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 Super Bowl LIV performance featured a stripper pole, provocative dance moves, and over 1,300 complaints filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 led to national controversy and stricter broadcast regulations.
- Rihanna’s 2023 performance, in which she was shown groping herself while singing lyrics that lawmakers described as “too offensive” to be repeated in front of children.
The letter argues that if similar performances were staged in Louisiana under state law, they could be deemed legally obscene under the state’s public exposure and obscenity laws.
“In Louisiana, these lewd acts are inappropriate for viewing by children, objectify women, and are simply NOT welcomed by the majority of Louisiana parents,” the letter states.
This year’s Super Bowl halftime performer, rapper Kendrick Lamar, has been outspoken about his Christian faith in the past. Many Christian fans are hopeful that his set will reflect more wholesome values compared to previous years.
Lamar has incorporated faith-based themes into his music, with references to God, salvation, and redemption appearing throughout his lyrics. His 2017 album DAMN. even won a Pulitzer Prize, and one of his songs, “GOD.” explores themes of divine grace.
Though Lamar’s past performances have included some explicit content, Christian fans are eager to see whether his faith will influence his Super Bowl performance.
Many faith-based organizations are supporting the Louisiana lawmakers’ request and urging the NFL and Super Bowl organizers to prioritize decency and respect for families.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, stated that the Super Bowl should be a time for families to gather together, not an event where parents have to shield their children from inappropriate content.
“The Super Bowl is a treasured American tradition,” Perkins said. “It should be an event that unites families, not one that forces parents to explain inappropriate behavior to their kids.”
Faith leaders are encouraging families to pray for a positive, uplifting performance and to speak up for decency in entertainment.