ESPN reporter John Sutcliffe drew significant social media attention Sunday after becoming visibly emotional during a live broadcast following the halftime show.
During the Seattle Seahawk’s win over the New England Patriots , the veteran Spanish-language journalist wept following the performance by artist Bad Bunny.
The incident occurred during ESPN Deportes’ coverage of Super Bowl LX, where the Puerto Rican superstar headlined the mid-game entertainment at Levi’s Stadium.
Sutcliffe, who has covered the NFL for decades, was positioned on the field when he began to break down while describing the cultural impact of the concert.
As reported by Sports Illustrated, Sutcliffe’s reaction included the following remarks shared during the live broadcast and later online: ‘It’s the first time I’ve ever cried at a Super Bowl.
‘To see a Latino, a Puerto Rican, on that stage. It’s hard to explain what this means for our community.
ESPN reporter John Sutcliffe became emotional after watching Bad Bunny’s halftime show
Bad Bunny performs during 2026 Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday
‘I am sorry, I am just very emotional right now. This is a historic moment for all of us. I never thought I would see this level of representation today.’
The news of Sutcliffe’s reaction quickly trended on X, formerly Twitter, as fans debated the professional nature of the outburst versus the personal sentiment.
Bad Bunny’s performance featured a medley of hits including ‘Dakiti’ and ‘Monaco,’ utilizing a high-energy production that focused heavily on Caribbean themes.
The Super Bowl itself saw the Seattle Seahawks triumph over the New England Patriots in a contest that began slow before ending in a 29-13 scoreline.
Sutcliffe has been a fixture of ESPN Deportes since its inception, primarily serving as the lead sideline reporter for Monday Night Football’s Spanish feed.
He is well known for his ‘Monday Night Countdown’ segments and his signature ‘Reportando desde…’ sign-off which has become a staple for Hispanic NFL fans.
Before joining ESPN in 2000, Sutcliffe worked for various outlets including Univision and Telemundo, covering numerous World Cups and Olympic Games cycles.
His career includes coverage of over 25 Super Bowls, making him one of the most experienced international reporters currently working on the NFL circuit today.
The halftime show drew an estimated 120 million viewers, potentially surpassing the game’s total audience as has occurred during several recent broadcasts.
Sutcliffe said: ‘To see a Latino, a Puerto Rican, on that stage. It’s hard to explain what this means for our community.
Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform together onstage during the star-studded halftime show
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a three-time Grammy Award winner and was the most-streamed artist on Spotify for three consecutive years.
The NFL reported that Latino fans make up roughly 15 percent of its total United States fan base, a demographic that has grown by 10 percent since 2010.
Critics of the moment argued that reporters should maintain a neutral stance, while supporters praised Sutcliffe for showing genuine passion for the event.
The network has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident, though several colleagues have posted messages of support for Sutcliffe’s sincerity.
Sutcliffe remains scheduled to provide further analysis for the network’s post-game wrap-up shows and upcoming draft coverage throughout the spring season.
