DETROIT - A lot of people are bashing Garth Brooks for wearing a Barry Sanders jersey. They think he’s being political, believing the No. 20 Detroit Lions jersey with Sanders’ name on the back actually represents Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders instead of the retired Hall of Fame running back.

Garth Brooks performed at Ford Field in Detroit in front of a record venue concert crowd of 70,000 fans on Saturday, Feb. 22. He not only wore the Sanders jersey because he was playing at the home of the Lions, but because both he and Sanders went to Oklahoma State.

“I was lucky enough to be an athlete and to wear the same uniform as this guy wore in college," said Brooks. "I was lucky to go to school with him. You guys got the greatest player in NFL history in my opinion in this jersey. I love this man.”

The negative comments directed at Brooks have flooded his Instagram page after he posted a picture of himself in the jersey from backstage at Ford Field.

jenjensoccermomma Good grief. Can’t you just do what you get paid to do ???? Why why why does it have to involve politics !!! 🤢 So sad. We don’t pay good money for anything other than to watch you perform. 😡Thought you were different.

chrisay59 Nothing like supporting a communist to loss a few fans! How about going to a successful socialist country and doing some research? Oh yes, you can’t because there aren’t ANY successful socialist countries!

A lot of people are replying to comments to set the record straight and let people know they are mistaken, like this comment from Brenden Levasseur.

brenden.levasseur for all you uncultured people that no nothing about football in the slightest. it’s BARRY Sanders. so y’all can chill with the hate. this barry and garth deserve nothing but respect✊

Related: Why Garth Brooks specifically wore a Barry Sanders Lions jersey at his Ford Field concert

But there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of comments bashing Brooks. Other people are commenting on how amused they are at the comments. Here’s more of what people are saying.

princess_lroy I wish you would’ve kept your political preferences to yourself. Peace out.

atlhotsauce26 Glad to see Garth is feeling the Bern!

rayekirby Well guess ur no different from other celebrities,,but thought u might be. We dont need to know who u vote for an especially at ur concert.

garybrown595 Il never listen to another one of your songs ever again.

mkn2600 You just lost thousands of fans in Michigan Just stick to your music.

scottbotting Funny, he is playing in Detroit wearing Barry Sanders jersey and people are losing their minds thinking it’s a political statement. Get a grip people, he was only honoring Barry Sanders. Man people are so ridiculous.

mcadoo2462 Your political views are just as bad as your music.

toph3r218 Man does this show how much hatred there is in the USA right now. It’s pretty sad. A guy can’t even wear a jersey without someone making it political.

perspective_is_everything2020 I have never laughed so hard at uneducated people in my life 😂😂😂 BARRY SANDERS!!!! Detroit Lions!!! Garth I’m sure you’re having the best laugh at this!!

shaynikki22 I’m not even a Garth Brooks fan, I just came here for the comments 😂 As a Lions fan (Yeah, I know) and a Bernie supporter, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

MORE GARTH BROOKS FROM MLIVE:

Barry Sanders asks Garth Brooks to be his VP after fans assume No. 20 jersey was support for Bernie

Garth Brooks talks Bob Seger and the massive Ford Field circle stage he’s never used before

Garth Brooks on what it’s like to play for a Detroit crowd and how his Hoedown surprise happened