Bad Bunny reveals his love for the 49ers, pays homage to late uncle in Super Bowl halftime show
At Super Bowl, 60, Latinos weren’t just watching, they were part of the story. I remember the first time I showed up to the practice. I was very emotional because I think to me it was *** monumental moment. That’s Antonio Reyes, *** South Sacramento pastor who officiated *** wedding live during the Super Bowl halftime show. I’m *** Mexican and so I’m *** Latino and I pastor *** Latino congregation as well. And so to me it was *** very important moment beyond the performance, so it was emotional. It was moving, um, I had to keep it together several times because I wanted to cry. Reyes believes his role in the performance was no coincidence. There’s no other way I can put it. I don’t have the skill. I don’t have the connections. I don’t have none of those things. I cannot manufacture that. I think all I can say is that God orchestrated all of this in this moment. The pastor who’s been serving Latinos in English and Spanish for just over 1 year, says the selection process was extensive, with *** search team visiting nearly 3 dozen churches before he got the call. Within hours he was reviewing and signing *** nondisclosure agreement, *** requirement to take part in the halftime show, but beyond the stage, Reyes says the moment was deeply personal. I met the couple via. Zoom, uh, two weeks prior to, to the event, I got to meet them. They got to meet me and just having *** beautiful conversation and that whole week we, we just, uh, we, we became family instantly for Reyes, that connection was at the heart of why this moment mattered. Uh, this moment to me was *** moment where I wanted people from my community to see themselves in me and, um, that they can point out to the. I’m sorry. To point out to the TV they can see themselves, you know, um, because at the end of the day, um, that was the, the, the picture that, that, that, that Benito wanted to communicate. They couldn’t hire actors, actresses to do the job, and they decide to hire us. As he reflects on his daily commitment to the community he calls home, Reyes says ***. Performance was about more than music. At the end of the day to me it was like *** masterpiece of *** storytelling representation of his of the Puerto Rican culture as well as the Latino community, you know. So to me it was *** beautiful storytelling in Sacramento, Marisela de la Cruz, Casey Ori 3 News. That pastor spent the week leading up to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara and spent some long days and nights getting ready for that part of the big. Here he is, Pastor Antonio Reyes from Project Church in South Sac, because there’s several campuses, Project Church South Sac, and I, full disclosure, I go to that church and that’s how I knew him, and people were asking me, did you recognize him? And I, I said, you know, honestly I didn’t at first because there were so many. I was like, Oh, there’s Cardi. Oh, there’s Jessica, you know, and you’re just like looking, and I’m also, you know, *** dancer, so I’m looking at choreography and the whole production. But I, I was like, gosh, that guy really looks. I thought you didn’t recognize me because I was wearing *** suit because I never wear *** suit. He never wears *** suit in church. He dresses more like this. He’s *** very good dresser, but, um, you know, you, you never wear this, and it wasn’t *** big deal that he wasn’t there yesterday in church because pastors, especially *** bigger church, they kind of float around and they do this. So was this the biggest secret you’ve had to keep from your congregation ever? I mean, yeah, I’m sure this is one of, one of the biggest secret at this point and so it was very difficult to, to not be able to share. This joy with people and you’ve signed an NDA so he cannot talk about specifics about the couple because you want them to be able to tell their story and they’re not doing interviews yet but we’ll get one don’t worry, um, but let’s start. How did this all start? It’s 3 weeks ago it started, right? Start by, um, you know, uh, I’ve been pastoring for quite some time and, uh, *** pastor in LA for some time and I have connections with people in the industry and so one day, uh, so random, I received *** call from one of my friends. Can you say who that friend is? Uh, yeah, her name is Nikki, but it’s through Carol. Right, who, uh, yeah, she, she was hanging out with some friends as well that are connected in the industry, and, um, their, uh, manager called Nick Becky G’s manager called, and so, uh, they were looking for *** minister to marry this couple, but they didn’t know for what. So they called me and said, hey, listen, we have this pastor. I think he would do *** great job. And so they called me, Hey Antonio, listen, this, this couple wants to get married. We don’t know if it’s *** celebrity. We don’t know what it is for, but are you open? I said, Sure, let’s have the conversation. Why not? Did they tell you it’s *** part of the Super? Did they tell you at this point I don’t know anything besides I’m gonna have *** conversation with *** couple to get married, to get married. It could just be *** regular wedding. It can be anyone, 5 people there, sure, not millions. OK, all right, keep going. And so as I, you know, as I’m like, um, this is 3 weeks ago, 3, like *** little over 3 weeks ago, yes, and so as, um, as I’m having this conversation in *** matter of hours, I received the NEA and, uh, I’m, I’m, I’m waiting for my wife to, to for her to come and help me sign it to I because I wanna know what I’m reading and not. I haven’t read anything and so as soon as she’s reading it, she starts screaming and jail and yelling, you know, like, oh my gosh, and I’m like, what’s going on? And so this is where we find out who’s gonna be for the Super Bowl, but at that point I’m confused. I don’t know, am I marrying Benito? What is happening, you know? So it said Bad Bunny in the nondisclosure agreement and so part of she’s screaming, she’s screaming, and she’s screaming. And so at that point I’m like, listen, um, I don’t know what’s happening. And so as we have more conversations with the team, there was more clarity into what. What was my role and so I mean it was super fun to be able to engage in that and so um it’s an honor for me to be able to be part of such *** monumental moment. OK, so fast forward to *** week ago because you had to get to Santa Clara for rehearsals *** week ago, correct? Correct, yes. And then tell us how that all went. Yeah, I mean, uh, I was there for *** whole week. I mean, um, I have *** whole whole another level of respect for dancers and, and people that work in that industry and so it was like very long days just practicing. Scene and, and, and because we were part of something bigger than just that moment, right? and so we were trying to make sure everything flows so well in *** matter of like 13 minutes and so, uh, there was *** lot of practices late nights and so yeah it was, it was beautiful to be able to experience that also very tiring. Yeah, how many hours *** day did you practice every day leading up to the Super um I mean I wanna say there were days over, uh, I wouldn’t say almost close to 10 hours. Um, we were just there and, um, we will get to the hotel almost uh. At midnight and were you in Levi’s Stadium doing the practices every day, or did you you sometimes they start in *** hotel banquet hall and then they move you. Yeah, we started the first couple of the days, uh, in, in *** field next to the stadium, and so we did all of that there and then the last, uh, I want to say the last 3 days, that’s when we came into the Levi Stadium and so that was, that was awesome too. And so just in case you missed it, and I know *** lot of people wondering, you did not know the couple beforehand. You basically did you meet them? Were they there for all the rehearsals? Yeah, they were you met them that week, so you started getting to know them. I met them, uh, weeks prior to the event, uh, as soon as they, they approved for me to be part of that, that’s when we start having the conversations with them and *** very lovely couple, and then, um, yeah, it was just, it’s, it was amazing. So as I’m watching it, I’m thinking, wait, are they really doing the vows? Were you really doing the vows, but you actually really married them two hours before the, the halftime show, right? Yeah, we have *** moment and once again I feel like this is gonna be something that I want the couple to share their story and their experience and so yeah, there was something that happened. And before, uh, before and prior to that moment, but, um, we were trying to make it very legit, so you did marry them two hours before, but during the actual ceremony when you were up there, you had *** bike guy. Were you really having them say like, do you take her? Do you take him, right? I mean, we, we, we literally were, we were trying to make it as official as possible, yeah, because that was what it was asked from us. They were, were you talking though and saying things like really saying things to them, and they were repeating after you? No, not that. Not at that moment. We, we, we try to make sure that that happened before everything, yeah, OK, yeah, so you were, uh, but he really was the Benito really was the witness to it, right? The, the team disclosed that, that he was *** witness. Yeah. Oh my goodness. So yeah, this is quite the story to tell, and, and your wife, I love that she started screaming when you realized, oh wait, this is Bad Bunny. What else did you take away from this whole experience and millions of people? Yeah, I mean, honestly, it’s ***, um, it was *** beautiful experience to be able to be part of such. *** monumental moment, you know, um, I’m, I’m Mexican, you know, as *** Latino to be able to be part of that as soon as I step into the field, I think the, the first time I practiced, um, I was very emotional because I, I, I just feel like that moment was beyond just about it was not just *** show, it was what it represented to us and so to me that moment it was *** moment to be able to represent my faith, you know, as ***, as *** follower of Jesus, but as well as *** as *** Latino so people can see themselves in me and as. Well, I’m just *** local church pastor that serves his community, uh, in South Sacramento and so that’s to me I wanna be able to represent that and that’s what they want and they want real people in that stage, yeah, and so that was another thing is that the organizers really wanted real people who were just there at the wedding reception and they’re witnessing it. I mean mixed in with huge celebrities, but, um, and you are *** pastor that you do, you do services in Spanish and then you do services in English as well, correct? I do both, meaning my brain is ***, *** mess, yes. And that’s how you end up your wife who’s *** teacher like read this legal document for me 100%, yeah, I, I don’t trust myself reading those documents and you had to sign it, so we’re limited in what we could ask you, but uh we’re so happy that you’re here and what *** huge thing to be *** part of. So thank you so much. Thank you for the invitation and I’m, I’m glad that we get to have this conversation and thank you, pastor, and you’re right, that’s why I didn’t recognize you. I’ve never seen you in *** suit. That’s always casual. All right, we’ll be right back. Thank you again for joining us. We’ll be right back after this.
Bad Bunny reveals his love for the 49ers, pays homage to late uncle in Super Bowl halftime show
Updated: 2:22 PM PST Feb 10, 2026
Days after global megastar Bad Bunny shared his tribute to Puerto Rican culture before an audience of more than 130 million people, his apparent love of the San Francisco 49ers came to light.The artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, donned a white football jersey — designed by Spain-based retailer Zara — with the name Ocasio and the number 64. According to the 49ers, that name and number have deep meaning.Bad Bunny’s tío (uncle), Cutito Ocasio, was born in 1964 and was a 49ers faithful. Cutito taught the singer everything he knows about the NFL, and Bad Bunny reminisced on his fond memories of watching playoff games during the postseasons.His tío, however, died two years ago, shortly after the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 Super Bowl.”I always dreamed of taking my uncle to a Super Bowl one year, but I couldn’t; his death was sudden and without warning,” Bad Bunny said in a news release from the 49ers. “So I decided to bring him on my shirt when I performed at the Super Bowl: Ocasio, his last name, the same as my mom, along with his birth year, ’64. I dedicated my show before I began; I am sure he saw it, he was present, and he felt proud of his nephew. Now all we need is for the 49ers to one day win the Super Bowl again.”This year’s Super Bowl was at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the 49ers. Considering Bad Bunny was the halftime show performer, it’s likely he would have brought his tío Cutito along to watch his performance on football’s biggest night.Halftime show highlightsBad Bunny’s 13-minute show was a combination of what he teased days ahead and what he said the night of this year’s Grammy Awards: a “big party” and a message that love is stronger than hate.He played party-atmosphere favorites such as “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Party” and “Safaera.” His performance also included what turned out to be a very real wedding officiated by a pastor from Sacramento. Bad Bunny also paid homage to Daddy Yankee, a fellow Puerto Rican who is behind one of the most famous reggaeton songs in the entire genre: “Gasolina.”Lady Gaga, whom Bad Bunny is an open and avid fan of, sang during the wedding celebration a Latin rendition of “Die With a Smile,” a song she released in partnership with Bruno Mars in 2025.Ricky Martin, another native Puerto Rican, covered Bad Bunny’s “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” which is a call for Puerto Rico to have cultural autonomy, drawing parallels from when the United States annexed Hawaii and later became the country’s 50th state.Bad Bunny also played “El Apagón,” another song that speaks to Puerto Rican culture, with lyrics that say everybody wants to be Latino but that some lack seasoning, drums and reggaeton. He sang parts of this song on top of a telephone pole, a nod to the U.S. territory’s frequent power outage issues. Find more highlights here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SANTA CLARA, Calif. —
Days after global megastar Bad Bunny shared his tribute to Puerto Rican culture before an audience of more than 130 million people, his apparent love of the San Francisco 49ers came to light.
The artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, donned a white football jersey — designed by Spain-based retailer Zara — with the name Ocasio and the number 64. According to the 49ers, that name and number have deep meaning.
Bad Bunny’s tío (uncle), Cutito Ocasio, was born in 1964 and was a 49ers faithful. Cutito taught the singer everything he knows about the NFL, and Bad Bunny reminisced on his fond memories of watching playoff games during the postseasons.
His tío, however, died two years ago, shortly after the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 Super Bowl.
“I always dreamed of taking my uncle to a Super Bowl one year, but I couldn’t; his death was sudden and without warning,” Bad Bunny said in a news release from the 49ers. “So I decided to bring him on my shirt when I performed at the Super Bowl: Ocasio, his last name, the same as my mom, along with his birth year, ’64. I dedicated my show before I began; I am sure he saw it, he was present, and he felt proud of his nephew. Now all we need is for the 49ers to one day win the Super Bowl again.”
This year’s Super Bowl was at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the 49ers. Considering Bad Bunny was the halftime show performer, it’s likely he would have brought his tío Cutito along to watch his performance on football’s biggest night.
Halftime show highlights
Bad Bunny’s 13-minute show was a combination of what he teased days ahead and what he said the night of this year’s Grammy Awards: a “big party” and a message that love is stronger than hate.
He played party-atmosphere favorites such as “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Party” and “Safaera.” His performance also included what turned out to be a very real wedding officiated by a pastor from Sacramento. Bad Bunny also paid homage to Daddy Yankee, a fellow Puerto Rican who is behind one of the most famous reggaeton songs in the entire genre: “Gasolina.”
Lady Gaga, whom Bad Bunny is an open and avid fan of, sang during the wedding celebration a Latin rendition of “Die With a Smile,” a song she released in partnership with Bruno Mars in 2025.
Ricky Martin, another native Puerto Rican, covered Bad Bunny’s “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” which is a call for Puerto Rico to have cultural autonomy, drawing parallels from when the United States annexed Hawaii and later became the country’s 50th state.
Bad Bunny also played “El Apagón,” another song that speaks to Puerto Rican culture, with lyrics that say everybody wants to be Latino but that some lack seasoning, drums and reggaeton. He sang parts of this song on top of a telephone pole, a nod to the U.S. territory’s frequent power outage issues.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel