Beyoncé brought the energy of a Super Bowl halftime show to her Christmas Day performance at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Performing hits from her Cowboy Carter album during halftime of the Texans-Ravens game, the iconic Beyoncé delivered a high-production spectacle as part of Netflix’s exclusive holiday slate of NFL games.
While the show featured appearances from artists like Post Malone, Shaboozey, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Tiera Kennedy, not everyone was impressed. Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, even joined the stage to dance, but that wasn’t enough to sway Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
Dave Portnoy’s take
Portnoy, known for his outspoken opinions, took to social media to share his thoughts, claiming Beyoncé has been off her game for years. “Beyoncé has been LOST since Destiny’s Child,” he wrote on X, referring to the group that officially disbanded 18 years ago.
This isn’t the first time Portnoy has voiced such critiques. During Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance, he tweeted: “Rihanna > Beyoncé. Not particularly close.”
Portnoy also used the occasion to promote his call-in show with former NFL coach Jon Gruden, inviting fans to weigh in on the performance. “Shred line is open for that Beyoncé performance,” he posted shortly after the show.
Despite the mixed reactions, Beyoncé remains a major figure in NFL entertainment. She headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2013 and returned in 2016 as a guest alongside Bruno Mars and Coldplay.
Her husband, Jay-Z, has also played a significant role in the league’s entertainment initiatives through his Roc Nation partnership, which has been producing NFL events, including the Super Bowl halftime show, since 2019.
Whether loved or criticized, Beyoncé’s ability to command the spotlight continues to make her a key player in the world of music and sports entertainment.
