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

In just a few weeks, it’ll be that time again. The NFL season is heading into the home stretch, and while teams are battling for the last playoff spots, the football world is already hyped for 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 you go, the debate is heating up: who’s taking 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 world championship in its own right. I remember years when the Super Bowl Halftime Show was more of a sideshow. Today? The entire entertainment industry holds its breath waiting to see who gets to rock that stage. Word on the street is that the folks in charge are going for a total surprise act this time—someone who’s never been in that spotlight before. It takes me back to the big moments of the past. Super Bowl XXXVI, for example. I was young back then, but that kick from Adam Vinatieri, the one that gave the Patriots their first title—that was pure magic. And the show that year was the starting point for a whole new era, one where halftime 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 help but mention the Pittsburgh Steelers. I've been lucky enough to witness so many legends from that franchise firsthand. The way that organization has operated for decades is just remarkable. While other teams scramble for the big name in the draft, the Steelers methodically dig for gold in the second round. Some call it luck, but I call it a craft.

A perfect example is the path to the franchise's first points in the Super Bowl back then. It wasn't always the biggest stars who made the difference. I remember a player like Dwight White, who got Pittsburgh's first sack in the big game—those were the guys who played in the shadow of the big names, but when it was game time, they delivered. I see that same mindset today. The key is on defense. People inside the organization always emphasize that Aaron Smith was one of those guys who never sought the spotlight, 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 to some old colleagues recently about draft philosophy. It’s not about getting the loudest guy; it’s about getting the guy with the most grit. 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 about Super Bowl LX this year. We're seeing a shift in the league right now. 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? I'm betting on a total surprise act—someone nobody's had on their radar in recent years.
• The Defense: No matter how spectacular the offense is, when it comes down to the wire, it's the defense that matters. That's what Super Bowl XXXVI showed us, when a kicker ultimately made all the difference in the end.
• The Steelers Connection: No matter who ends up playing, that Pittsburgh DNA—selfless, gritty football—will be on display in the championship game. Insiders close to the team 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 thought we'd see a 13-second drive. Or that a kicker could change the entire trajectory of a franchise. Super Bowl LVII was a perfect 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 that reflects our culture. The way we celebrate, the way the Super Bowl Halftime Show sets cultural trends—it’s become way bigger than just sports. In the U.S., the Monday after is an unofficial holiday, and here, I can see the games getting later and the fan base growing.

So in a few weeks, I’ll be back in front of the screen with a cold beer, soaking it all in. Who’s going to get 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 the same spirit I saw in the great Steelers legends: selfless, tough, and unstoppable.