Super Bowl halftime shows: Ranking the 10 best Super Bowl halftime show performances in NFL history

By NBC Sports StaffJan 31, 2022, 8:00 AM EST

While most of the world’s attention on Super Bowl Sunday is typically on the NFL teams competing, plenty of eyes are always on the halftime show performance each year. There’s no doubt that will be the case again in 2023 when Rihanna takes the NFL’s halftime show stage for what should be an unforgettable performance.

Over the years there have been many great halftime show moments from Katy Perry’s viral “Left Shark” to Prince’s iconic performance in the rain. But which halftime show was the best of all time? Keep reading to find out who we think put on the greatest show in history. Plus, don’t forget to watch Super Bowl LVII live on Sunday, February 12, 2023 on FOX. Click here for scores and results from this year’s NFL Playoffs.

10. Katy Perry – Super Bowl XLIX

When: February 1, 2015
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Setlist: Roar, Dark Horse, I Kissed a Girl, Teenage Dream, Get Ur Freak On (with Missy Elliott), Work It (with Missy Elliott), Lose Control (Missy Elliott), Firework
Special guests: Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott, Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band
Best moment: During part of her performance, Katy Perry was surrounded by two dancers dressed as sharks. The shark on the left – “Left Shark” – was off beat and out of sync and thus went viral.

9. Lady Gaga – Super Bowl LI

When: February 5, 2017
Where: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
Setlist: God Bless America/This Land is Your Land, Poker Face, Born This Way, Telephone, Just Dance, Million Reasons, Bad Romance
Special guests: None
Best moment: Lady Gaga opened her performance by jumping down from the ceiling of NRG Stadium.

8. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez – Super Bowl LIV

When: February 2, 2020
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
Shakira setlist: Dare (La La La), She Wolf, Empire, Ojos Asi, Whenever Wherever, I Like It (with Bad Bunny), Chantaje / Callaita (with Bad Bunny), Hips Don’t Lie, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) with Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez setlist: Jenny From the Block, Ain’t it Funny, Get Right, Waiting for Tonight, Booty / Que Calor / El Anillo / Love Don’t Cost a Thing / Mi Gente (with J Balvin), On the Floor, Let’s Get Loud / Born in the U.S.A. (with Shakira and Emme Muñiz)
Special guests: Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Emme Muñiz
Best moment: Jennifer Lopez’s daughter Emme Muñiz joined her and Shakira on stage to perform “Let’s Get Loud” and “Born in the U.S.A.”

7. Michael Jackson – Super Bowl XXVII

When: January 31, 1993
Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
Setlist: Jam, Billie Jean, Black or White, We Are the World, Heal the World
Special guests: None
Best moment: MJ finished his halftime show performance surrounded by a choir singing “We Are the World” and “Heal the World.”

6. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Super Bowl XLIII

When: February 1, 2009
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Setlist: Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, Working on a Dream, Glory Days
Special guests: None
Best moment: As the band performed “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” Bruce Springsteen did a power slide right into the camera.

5. Madonna – Super Bowl XLVI

When: February 5, 2012
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
Setlist: Vogue, Music / Party Rock Anthem / Sexy and I Know It (with LMFAO), Give Me All Your Luvin’ (with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.), Open Your Heart / Express Yourself (with Cee Lo Green), Like a Prayer (with Cee Lo Green)
Special guests: LMFAO, Cirque du Soleil, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., Cee Lo Green, Andy Lewis, Avon High School Drumline, Center Grove High School Drumline, Fishers High School Drumline, Franklin Central High School Drumline, Southern University Dancing Dolls, 200-person choir
Best moment: Madonna closed the show with her hit “Like a Prayer” alongside Cee Lo Green and a 200 person choir.

4. Aerosmith and *NSYNC – Super Bowl XXXV

When: January 28, 2001
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Setlist: Bye Bye Bye (*NSYNC), I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith), It’s Gonna Be Me (*NSYNC), Jaded (Aerosmith), Walk This Way (Aerosmith with *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly)
Special guests: Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly
Best moment: Aerosmith brought out Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly to join them and *NSYNC on stage for a rendition of “Walk This Way” to close out the show.

3. Beyoncé – Super Bowl XLVII

When: February 3, 2013
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Setlist: Run the World (Girls), Love on Top, Crazy In Love, End of Time, Baby Boy, Bootylicious (with Destiny’s Child), Independent Women Part I (with Destiny’s Child), Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Halo
Special guests: Destiny’s Child
Best moment: Beyoncé reunited with her Destiny’s Child bandmates on the Super Bowl stage as the trio sang a few of their hits including 2001’s “Bootylicious” and 2000’s “Independent Women.”

2. U2 – Super Bowl XXXVI

When: February 3, 2002
Where: Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Setlist: Beautiful Day, MLK, Where the Streets Have No Name
Special guests: None
Best moment: U2 was the first Super Bowl halftime show headliner after the September 11 attacks in 2001. Lead singer Bono opened up his jacket to reveal an American flag at the end of the performance.

1. Prince – Super Bowl XLI

When: February 4, 2007
Where: Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
Setlist: We Will Rock You, Let’s Go Crazy, Baby I’m a Star, Proud Mary, 1999, All Along the Watchtower, Best of You, Purple Rain
Special guests: Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band
Best moment: Prince capped off his acclaimed halftime show performance with an unforgettable performance of “Purple Rain” sung in the middle of a downpour.

Honorable mentions: Paul McCartney (Super Bowl XXXIX), Diana Ross (Super Bowl XXX), Janet Jackson (Super Bowl XXXVIII), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Super Bowl XLII), The Rolling Stones (Super Bowl XL), The Weeknd (Super Bowl LV), Bruno Mars (Super Bowl XLVIII)

How to watch the Super Bowl 2023

When: Sunday, February 12, 2023
Kickoff time: 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
Where: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
TV Channel: FOX
Follow along with ProFootballTalk and NBC Sports for NFL news, updates, scores and more

Check out ProFootballTalk for more on the 2023 NFL Playoffs as well as game previews, picks, recaps, news, rumors and more.

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft CB Rankings: Devon Witherspoon highlights loaded draft class

By Annie CoryMar 29, 2023, 4:42 PM EDT

The 2023 NFL Draft is growing nearer, with just weeks remaining until teams make selections that could alter the future of their franchise forever.

A solid secondary is crucial to any team’s defensive prowess, and for the teams looking to tighten up in coverage, this year’s draft is the one to do so.

The 2023 NFL Draft cornerback class is an incredibly deep one, but which corner will be first off the board? Chris Simms unveiled his 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback rankings this week on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast, posting Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon at the top of his list of corners in this year’s crop.

But trailing Witherspoon very closely are four other potential NFL superstars, with Simms ranking Michigan’s DJ Turner at No. 2, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez at No. 3, Maryland’s Deonte Banks at No. 4 and Georgia’s Kelee Ringo at No. 5.

The 2023 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 27, and end on Saturday, April 29. The first round will take place on Thursday with rounds two and three airing on Friday and rounds four through seven on Saturday. Click here for Simms’ quarterback rankings,and here for his list of top wide receivers.

Simms’ Top Five CB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft

Tier One

1. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

2. DJ Turner, Michigan

3. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Tier Two

4. Deonte Banks, Maryland

Tier Three

5. Kelee Ringo, Georgia

Simms Breaks Down 2023 Draft CB Rankings

The following are highlights from Simms’ CB draft rankings. For Simms’ in-depth analysis, read below for a breakdown on each prospect and be sure to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for an unfiltered look at the NFL, featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown, and stories from a life in and around football.

No. 1: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

What Simms said: “This guy is must-see TV. He’s up there with one of the most twitchy, sudden people I’ve ever seen in my life to the point where when he takes off, you’re like, ‘Wait, is that real? Did he really get to full speed in half a step?’ … Bump or off, both are phenomenol — it’s rare to have that. He’s got very good play strength for a guy that’s 5’11” and a half at 181 lbs. He doesn’t know that, he thinks he’s 220 … It’s efficient and easy. He’s sudden and can see the ability to accelerate whether it’s downhill or sticking the foot in the ground and changing direction. As compared to my No. 2 and No. 3 guy, he might be a hair tighter in his hips, but his twitchiness and explosion and acceleration … you just start to go, ‘What does this guy not have, besides the fact that he’s not 6’2” or over 200 lbs.’ He’s phenomenol.”

No. 2: DJ Turner, Michigan

What Simms said: “To me, (DJ Turner is) the most technically sound corner in the draft. There’s nobody better at technique. Like Witherspoon, the ability to mirror receivers at the line of scrimmage, the quick feet, it’s phenomenol. His hips are better than Witherspoon … His ability to flip those hips, turn and break on the ball, it’s right up there. It’s actually more smooth hip-wise than it is for Devon Witherspoon … What more can you say about the guy? Start-stop ability, amazing. Make-up speed, amazing. Other than Witherspoon, I think he’s put in the second-most tough spots out of anybody I’ve watched in this. He plays man-to-man, in your face a ton against big-time receivers. He’s awesome defending double moves. He could be the best nickel or outside guy, and he’s also the fastest guy in the draft. He’s got it all.”

No. 3: Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

What Simms said: “There’s not much to pick apart here … He’s got a little more size and meat on his bones. The Tee Higgins of the world, the bigger receivers of the world, they’re gonna have a harder time pushing him around and doing that stuff. He’s got incredible ball skills … He looks prototype. He looks Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey-ish in his uniform … He just wasn’t as edgy as the other guys … He’s gonna match up better with DeAndre Hopkins than the other two. But I don’t know if he’ll match up better with Jaylen Waddle or Ja’Marr Chase than the other two … But his technique is real. He’s a top-20 pick. You talk size, technique and straight speed, of course this guy is one of the top corners in the draft.”

No. 4: Deonte Banks, Maryland

What Simms said: “He has more measurables like Gonzalez. 6 foot, 197 lbs., there’s a thickness to him and a power and strength element that certainly jumps out. Let alone, speed is Real Deal Holyfield … man-to-man, great legs, runs easy … He’s comfortable in his speed. He’s never panicked. He’s comfortable in going, ‘You have a step on me? That’s fine, I’m good,’ … But he’s also incredible, like Witherspoon and Turner, at getting on top of people when they try to run a go-route. No one can ever really get around him for the most part … He’s sticky as hell, he’s got very good feet, but he doesn’t know how to use his hands at all yet. So he’s not really that great at jamming people at the line of scrimmage, but he’s never not there … I thought his ability to play the ball and create PBUs in those 50/50 situations where the quarterback tries to throw the ball back shoulder and all that, he’s got a great feel and vision to be able to cover and see the throw at the same time that I was very impressed with.”

No. 5: Kelee Ringo, Georgia

What Simms said: “When you turn on the film, you go, ‘What? This guy’s a corner, he’s not a safety?’ Because he has a prototype safety vibe … Against the bigger, straight-liner guys, nobody’s gonna push this dude around. That’s certainly not going to be an issue, that along with the straight speed. Hey, the change of direction stuff is not beautiful. He’s a little heavy-footed because he’s a bigger guy … but it’s not bad … When he opens up, he can really go; obviously with a 4.36 second 40 time … He’s very smooth as far as an athlete overall.”

For more preview content of the 2023 NFL Draft, stay tuned to Chris Simms Unbuttoned, ProFootballTalk and NBC Sports EDGE for all the latest updates, player analysis and mock drafts.

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: The top QBs, WRs, RBs, and more ahead of draft weekend

By Mary OmatigaMar 29, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place on Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Click here for the full first-round draft order to find out when your team is picking.

Ahead of this year’s draft, Chris Simms has already started analyzing the top prospects by position on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast. So far, Simms has revealed his highly anticipated list of the top 5 quarterback prospects and wide receivers. See below to find out who made the top 5 names for each position and be sure to check back for updates!

Be sure to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for more on the 2023 NFL Draft as well as an unfiltered look at the NFL, featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown, and stories from a life in and around football.

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft QB Rankings:

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Bryce Young, Alabama
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Anthony Richardson, Florida
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA and Will Levis, Kentucky

Chris Simms’ 2023 NFL Draft WR Rankings:

Zay Flowers, Boston College
Jaxon Smith-Njibga, Ohio State
Quentin Jonston, TCU
Michael Wilson, Stanford
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

Chris Simms 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings

Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
DJ Turner, Michigan
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Deonte Banks, Maryland
Kelee Ringo, Georgia

How can I watch the 2023 NFL Draft live?

ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will air all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.

What time does the NFL Draft start?

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft will get underway on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds two and three will commence Friday at 7 p.m. ET, with Saturday’s final rounds at 12 p.m.

Follow along with ProFootballTalk for the latest news, storylines, and updates surrounding the 2023 NFL Season and be sure to subscribe to NFLonNBC on YouTube!