Super Bowl 2026: Halftime Show, History, and the Unforgettable Steelers Legacy

In just a few weeks, it’ll be that time again. The NFL season is heading into the home stretch, and while teams are fighting for those last playoff spots, the football world is already buzzing about the big finale. I’ve covered so many Super Bowls over the years that I’ve lost count, but this one—Super Bowl LX—already has a special kind of energy. You can feel it in the sports bars, at training camps, everywhere people are debating: who’s going to take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy?

Of course, these days the Super Bowl is about so much more than just the game itself. The halftime show has become a whole other championship event. I remember back in the day when the Super Bowl Halftime Show was more of a side note. Now? The entire entertainment industry holds its breath waiting to see who gets to rock that stage. Word is that the powers that be are planning a real surprise act this time—someone who’s never been in that spotlight before. It brings to mind some of the great moments of the past. Super Bowl XXXVI, for instance. I was still young back then, but that kick by Adam Vinatieri, the one that gave the Patriots their first title, that was pure magic. And that halftime show marked the start of a new era, where the intermission became just as important as the kickoff.

The Steelers and Their DNA: When the Draft Becomes an Art Form

When I talk about the history of the Super Bowl, I can’t skip the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve been fortunate enough to see many of that franchise’s legends in person. The way that organization has operated for decades is just impressive. While other teams scramble in the draft to grab the big-name star, the Steelers methodically dig for gold in the second round. Some call it luck, but I call it craftsmanship.

A perfect example is how the franchise scored its very first points in the Super Bowl back then. It wasn’t always the biggest stars making the difference. I remember a player like Dwight White, who got the first sack for Pittsburgh in that championship game—those were the guys who flew under the radar, but when the pressure was on, they delivered. And I see that same mindset today. Defense is where it’s at. Behind the scenes, they always emphasize that a guy like Aaron Smith never sought the limelight, but without his work, those championship rings would never have been possible.

From Underdog to Hero: The Unwritten Rules

What always fascinates me about the Super Bowl is that the greatest stories often aren’t written in the first round. I was talking with some old colleagues recently about draft philosophy. It’s not about grabbing the loudest guy in the room; it’s about finding the one with the real bite. When you can find first-round talent in the second round, you’re not building a team for one year—you’re building one for a decade.

That’s also why I’m especially excited for Super Bowl LX this year. We’re seeing a real shift in the league. The old guard is adapting, new strategies are emerging. But the fundamental truth remains: in the Super Bowl, it’s not the team that looks best on paper that wins, it’s the better team. The team that can handle the silence in the locker room, the team that’s willing to put their body on the line for the guy next to them.

• The Halftime Show: Will it live up to the bar set by Rihanna or Dr. Dre? My bet is on a real surprise act—someone no one’s had on their radar in years.
• The Defense: No matter how flashy the offense is, when it comes down to it, defense wins championships. Super Bowl XXXVI proved that, when a kicker ended up being the difference maker.
• The Steelers Connection: No matter who ends up playing in the big game, that Pittsburgh DNA—unselfish football—will be on display. Insiders in the organization have confirmed that to me more than once.

I’ve learned that you can never rule anything out when it comes to the Super Bowl. A few years ago, nobody would have thought we’d see a 13-second drive. Or that a kicker could change the entire fate of a franchise. Super Bowl LVII was a prime example of how quickly the tide can turn. A fumble here, a penalty there, and suddenly a completely different team is on top.

Looking back over the last few years, it’s clear to me: the Super Bowl is more than just a game. It’s a lens into our culture. The way we celebrate, the way the Super Bowl Halftime Show sets cultural trends—it’s long since become about more than just sports. In the US, the Monday after is an unofficial holiday, and I can see it here too, with games starting later and the fan base growing.

So in a few weeks, I’ll be back in front of the screen, a cold beer in hand, soaking it all in. Who’s going to land that game-changing sack? Who’s going to make the last-second catch? I don’t know, but I’m sure of one thing: the story will create a new hero. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to watch a team embody that spirit I saw in the great Steelers legends: selfless, tough, and unstoppable.