Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy didn’t hold back his thoughts on Beyoncé’s Christmas Day halftime performance during the Texans-Ravens game. As Beyoncé made her highly anticipated return to the stage, performing for the first time since October 2023, Portnoy, known for his love of Taylor Swift, wasn’t impressed with what he saw.
Beyoncé, who rode in on a horse for the spectacle, performed songs from her latest album Cowboy Carter, marking the first time the singer showcased tracks from the album live. However, Portnoy took to social media to express his displeasure. “Beyoncé has been LOST since Destiny’s Child,” he wrote on X, referring to the iconic pop group she was a part of with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams before she left in 2006 to pursue her solo career.
Portnoy’s sharp critique wasn’t an isolated opinion. Many fans on social media also voiced their disapproval of the performance. “I genuinely find Beyoncé f*****g awful and fail to understand how anyone else sees it any other way,” one fan commented. Another fan added, “Y’all might not agree, but Taylor Swift and Beyoncé make bad music,” insulting both Beyoncé and one of Portnoy’s favorites in the process. “That Beyoncé performance was trash,” one user bluntly stated.
However, Beyoncé’s performance also earned a great deal of praise. Tennis legend Serena Williams tweeted, “Honestly can’t get enough of you,” tagging the pop star, while former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins called it, “Beyoncé killed it!” Even the official NFL account joined in, calling it “the best Christmas ever.”
Beyoncé’s First Live Performance of Cowboy Carter
The show was significant for more than just the controversy; it marked the first time Beyoncé performed songs from her latest album Cowboy Carter live. The singer was joined by special guests, including Shaboozey and Post Malone, who added extra excitement to the halftime spectacle. This event also marked a return to the NFL stage for Beyoncé, who had previously performed at two Super Bowls.
Despite the celebration, Beyoncé’s performance was not without its complications. This was her first major public performance since her husband, Jay-Z, was embroiled in controversy after being accused in a lawsuit alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The lawsuit accused the two music moguls of an alleged rape incident involving a 13-year-old girl at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards after-party. Both Jay-Z and Diddy have denied the allegations. While Beyoncé was not directly involved in the legal matters, her performance took place amid this heightened scrutiny.
Finger Guns and NFL Penalties
The most talked-about moment from Beyoncé’s performance came when she made a finger-gun gesture during the finale of her song Texas Hold ‘Em. As she was lifted into the air on a stage in the center of NRG Stadium in Houston, Beyoncé made the controversial gesture, which quickly caught the attention of NFL fans. Social media users joked about the irony of her doing the finger guns, a move that is penalized in the NFL.
“Would just like to note that Beyoncé is doing the double gun gesture, which is banned in the NFL and results in a 15-yard penalty,” one fan tweeted, poking fun at the NFL’s strict rules against players using gun gestures during celebrations. This came on the heels of Chiefs players Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy also receiving 15-yard penalties for similar touchdown celebrations earlier in the day.
Beyoncé’s Halftime Legacy
This was not Beyoncé’s first time performing at an NFL halftime show. The 32-time Grammy winner headlined the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show and was also a special guest in 2016 during Coldplay’s Super Bowl halftime performance.
As a seasoned performer with a track record of unforgettable halftime shows, Beyoncé’s Christmas Day appearance was another testament to her star power, despite the mixed reactions from fans and commentators.
While Portnoy and other detractors didn’t hold back in their critiques, it’s clear that Beyoncé’s performance made a lasting impression on viewers, whether they loved or hated it. The controversy surrounding her finger-gun gesture and the reactions to her performance only add to the buzz surrounding her presence in the NFL spotlight.
As the NFL continues to experiment with big-time halftime shows and streaming platforms like Netflix take on new broadcast opportunities, it seems that moments like Beyoncé’s Christmas Day performance will keep fans talking—both for the positive and the negative aspects of her showmanship.
