Kendrick Bourne takes dig at Patriots in explaining Mac Jones' success with 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have benefited from the connection between quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne this season.
Bourne, though, took a minor swipe at the New England Patriots in explaining Jones' resurgence in San Francisco.
Bourne and Jones were teammates together in New England and had some good success. The veteran receiver's best statistical season came in 2021, which was Jones' rookie year in the NFL and one in which he earned his first and only Pro Bowl.
In assisting that case, Bourne hauled in 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns that year.
It seems that connection has not gone away even though the two are now with the Niners. Bourne appeared on KNBR 680 recently and was asked about why Jones has enjoyed such great success with San Francisco after things flamed out with the Pats.
Interestingly, Bournee threw some subtle shade at his former team in the process.
Kendrick Bourne tosses shade at Patriots amid Mac Jones' success with 49ers
"He's been able to be more free and like, who he is and showing it," Bourne said. "You know, obviously over there it's more strict, it's more blue collar and that's how they operate. But here, it's more about being yourself and being a professional at the same time."
Bourne is not exactly breaking any news by saying the vibe in New England under then-head coach Bill Belichick was strict. That is how they did things in New England for a long time, and it garnered excellent results even if Belichick is now struggling at the University of North Carolina.
Boston has always had a strict, puritanical vibe compared the free-loving and more open spirit of San Francisco. Some may thrive in the former while others thrive in the latter.
It seems Jones and Bourne are both better suited for the Bay. They are guys who like to be silly and have fun, but when it is go time, they lock in and can deliver the goods. The two hooked up to great effect last Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams as Bourne had a career game, hauling in 10 passes from Jones for 142 yards.
Bourne has definitely seems to have a better chemistry with Jones than quarterback Brock Purdy which makes sense given the ties he and Jones share. He may have a vested interest in Jones remaining the quarterback as Purdy works his way back from injury.
Purdy is still clearly the starting quarterback of the team, but the 49ers should be careful and not bring him back until he is healthy, especially with how well Jones has played in place of him.
The Niners should consider themselves lucky that they have both Jones and Bourne hooking up with their starting quarterback and top wide receivers injured.
And Jones and Bourne seem much happier in the more chill environment of California compared to the strictness of Boston.
Unacceptable: Chairman Josh Harris 'Bans' Bad Bunny From Northwest Stadium Upon Hearing He Would Attend Commanders vs. Bears Matchup – The behind-the-scenes drama between music and the NFL just erupted when Commanders’ Josh Harris vowed to keep Latin music superstar Bad Bunny out of the stadium to "curry favor with the fans," sparking global outrage.
A Shockwave Through the NFL
The sports world was caught off guard once again.
Just as the Washington Commanders were struggling to find rhythm on the field, a new off-field scandal erupted — one that has little to do with touchdowns and everything to do with
According to multiple reports, Commanders’ owner Josh Harris allegedly ordered staff to deny entry to global Latin superstar Bad Bunny after hearing that he planned to attend the
Sources close to the team claim that Harris reportedly said Bad Bunny was “trying to curry favor with the fans” and “should stay out of football business.”
That single remark — whether spoken in frustration or arrogance — quickly ignited a global storm of outrage.
Bad Bunny, known for his calm demeanor and sharp intelligence, didn’t stay silent.
Within hours, he posted a short but cutting response on social media:
“I come for greatness, not for your petty politics.”
The message was viewed over 10 million times in the first two hours
Fans across the world, from NFL diehards to music lovers, rallied behind Bad Bunny, calling Harris’ decision “elitist,” “arrogant,” and “a stain on the sport’s inclusivity.”
The Music–Sports Crossover: A Love Story Turned War Zone
Music and sports have always been intertwined.
From Drake’s courtside antics to Taylor Swift’s NFL appearances, artists have long been a
Bad Bunny himself has performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, collaborated with WWE, and been a visible presence at major sporting events.
He’s more than a singer — he’s a cultural bridge.
So why single him out?
Why ban a man who embodies diversity, inspiration, and global fandom?
Media analysts argue that Harris’ move wasn’t just a misstep — it was a
The Latin Community Reacts: “You Can’t Cancel Our Voice”
The backlash from the Latin community was swift and powerful.
Stars like J Balvin, Anuel AA, Becky G, and Camila Cabello voiced their support for Bad Bunny.
Billboard Latin published an op-ed titled:
“Bad Bunny doesn’t need the stadium to prove his worth — the stadium needs him.”
In Washington alone, where 18% of residents identify as Latino, cultural groups began organizing petitions and small demonstrations.
Some even called for a boycott of Commanders tickets until Harris publicly apologized.
The message was clear:
This wasn’t just about a celebrity — it was about respect.
Fans Divided: Who’s Right and Who’s Wrong?
Online debates exploded across Reddit and X.
Some defended Harris, arguing he had the right to control who attends his team’s games.
But the majority saw it differently — as a sign of intolerance and outdated power dynamics.
One viral comment read:
“If Harris fears Bad Bunny winning over the fans, maybe he should ask why the fans don’t love the team first.”
Another, with over 120,000 likes, stated:
“Banning Bad Bunny is like banning an entire culture from entering the stadium.”
The NFL, an organization that prides itself on diversity campaigns like “Football Is For Everyone,” suddenly found itself under scrutiny once again.
Who Is Josh Harris Really?
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Josh Harris isn’t new to controversy.
As the billionaire owner of the Commanders, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the New Jersey Devils, he has long been known as a shrewd investor with a controlling management style.
During the pandemic, Harris drew criticism for cutting staff expenses while expanding his sports portfolio.
He’s often described as “calculating” — a businessman first, and a fan second.
PR expert Maria Thompson told ESPN:
“Harris has always been obsessed with image control. The irony is that by trying to control the narrative, he just lost it.”
Bad Bunny: A Global Icon Beyond Music
Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is the most-streamed artist on Spotify for three consecutive years.
He’s not just a musician — he’s a movement.
A voice for the new generation, for the LGBTQ+ community, for Latin pride, and for anyone who’s ever felt unseen.
His influence transcends genres, languages, and borders.
So when someone of Harris’ stature tries to “ban” him, it becomes more than a private dispute — it becomes a cultural earthquake.
ESPN: “Commanders Just Shot Themselves in the Foot”
ESPN’s morning panel didn’t mince words.
In their Friday segment, they quipped:
“If the Commanders wanted attention, they got it — in the worst way possible.”
Commentators predicted that the “Bad Bunny Ban” could become one of the biggest PR disasters of 2025, potentially affecting ticket sales, sponsorships, and even player morale.
Commanders Face an Image Crisis
Within 24 hours, the team’s official social media pages were flooded with over one million angry comments.
The team’s marketing hashtags were hijacked with #FireHarris and #LetBadBunnyIn.
Sponsors like Nike, Pepsi, and Verizon quickly issued neutral statements distancing themselves from the controversy.
Behind the scenes, sources say that corporate pressure is mounting — and that Harris may soon have no choice but to issue an apology.
Is There an Actual Ban? The Legal Gray Area
The Washington Post reported that no written order has been confirmed.
However, several insiders claim that verbal instructions were given during a closed-door meeting, and that Northwest Stadium security was “unofficially notified.”
If true, this could open the door to civil rights complaints or lawsuits citing “cultural bias or personal discrimination.”
Attorney David Klein commented:
“If you deny entry to a person based on cultural identity or perceived motive, you’re treading into dangerous legal territory.”
NFL’s Silence: A Deafening Statement
The NFL has yet to release an official statement.
For an organization that publicly campaigns for equality and inclusion, that silence is being read as complicity.
Public relations analysts suggest that the league may be waiting for the backlash to subside.
But in today’s digital ecosystem, silence only fuels the outrage.
Bad Bunny’s Vow: “I’ll Be There Anyway”
During a late-night Instagram livestream, Bad Bunny addressed the issue with characteristic calm:
“I’m not here to make trouble. I’m here to watch greatness. If they’re afraid of that, I’ll still come — as a regular fan.”
The declaration instantly went viral.
Fans began organizing under the slogan “Bad Bunny Invasion”, planning to attend the Commanders–Bears game wearing Puerto Rican flags and Bad Bunny merchandise.
What was once a simple football game had just become a global cultural event.
NFL Stars Rally Behind Bad Bunny
Several high-profile NFL players showed public support.
Odell Beckham Jr., Micah Parsons, Saquon Barkley, and even Patrick Mahomes reposted his message.
Mahomes wrote:
“Music and sports beat to the same heart. Separating them is just dumb.”
The solidarity among athletes sent a powerful message: this wasn’t about music anymore — it was about freedom, identity, and the spirit of the game.
PR Experts Predict Long-Term Fallout
According to global PR agency Weber Shandwick, the Commanders could lose up to 15% of their brand value in the short term if the issue remains unresolved.
Stock prices for Harris’ holding companies dipped nearly 3% overnight.
An internal PR document leaked online suggests that the Commanders’ communications team has already drafted an apology statement, set to be released within 72 hours.
The Bigger Picture: When Power Meets Culture
The “Bad Bunny Ban” isn’t just about one celebrity and one billionaire — it’s about what happens when old power structures clash with new cultural forces.
Bad Bunny represents the global, inclusive, emotionally connected generation.
Harris represents the corporate, traditional, control-oriented mindset of old sports ownership.
Their collision has exposed the identity crisis of modern American sports:
Who truly owns the culture — the teams, or the people who fill the seats?
The Fans Take Over the Narrative
Outside Northwest Stadium, murals began appearing overnight.
One depicts Bad Bunny holding a football under a banner that reads “Greatness Has No Gate.”
Another shows him walking past a “No Entry” sign with his quote beneath it:
“I come for greatness, not petty politics.”
These visuals quickly flooded social media, transforming outrage into art.
What Harris intended as exclusion became a movement of inclusion.
Commanders’ Internal Turmoil
Reports from inside the organization suggest growing unrest.
Some team employees allegedly questioned the owner’s decision and expressed fear that the incident could alienate young fans.
One anonymous staff member told Sports Illustrated:
“We’re trying to rebuild a fan base, and this happens? It’s like lighting a match in a fireworks factory.”
Morale among marketing teams reportedly dropped to “crisis levels.”
The Cultural Meaning of Bad Bunny’s Statement
Bad Bunny’s quote — “I come for greatness, not petty politics” — has already entered pop culture lore.
It’s being printed on T-shirts, quoted by celebrities, and even referenced in late-night monologues.
For millions of fans, those words symbolize the right to belong anywhere, regardless of background or language.
They’ve turned a scandal into a symbol of unity.
Political Reactions: When Sports Hit the National Stage
Several politicians have weighed in, particularly from Hispanic caucuses in Congress, calling the alleged ban “a disgraceful act of cultural intolerance.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted:
“Bad Bunny represents millions of Americans who love both football and freedom. Excluding him means excluding us.”
Her post was shared over 400,000 times.
Final Reflection: The Day the Stadium Became a Battlefield
In the end, this controversy will be remembered as more than a sports headline.
It’s a mirror reflecting the tension between power and people, image and authenticity, exclusion and belonging.
Whether Bad Bunny walks into Northwest Stadium or not, one thing is certain:
The world is watching.
As one fan perfectly put it online:
“He doesn’t need their permission to be great. He already is.”
And perhaps that’s what truly terrifies those who hold the gates.
