Super Bowl LII players want Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson to reunite for halftime show

Josh Peter | USA TODAY

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MINNEAPOLIS — If Justin Timberlake is going to take the stage for the Super Bowl halftime show as scheduled Sunday, the NFL might as well bring back his old partner in crime — Janet Jackson.

That’s the sentiment among several members of the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots as the teams prepare this week for Super Bowl LII.

“I don’t know why they wouldn’t have them both back,’’ Eagles linebacker Chris Long told USA TODAY Sports. “I mean, Janet is a legend.’’

Jackson’s publicist Paula Witt responded with a “no comment," but plenty of Eagles and Patriots shared their thoughts on the topic with USA TODAY Sports.

“After what happened with them last time, I’m pretty sure they probably won’t put those two together anymore," Eagles safety Corey Graham said with a laugh.

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That last time was on Feb. 1, 2004, at Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium) in Houston, where Timberlake and Jackson took part in an incident that gave birth to the term “wardrobe malfunction.” In what appeared to be a choreographed stunt during Super Bowl XXXVIII, Timberlake pulled off part of Jackson’s costume, briefly exposing her right breast.

“My grandmother about had a heart attack," Patriots linebacker Trevor Reilly said. “I was sitting at my aunt Wendy’s watching it. Everyone was there.’’

And what if Timberlake and Jackson took the Super Bowl stage together again?

“I’d love to see a wardrobe malfunction, is that what all of America is thinking?" Reilly asked.

Players appear to be thinking at least little about the halftime show — especially about what took place in 2004.

“That was the greatest one ever," Eagles linebacker Kamu Grugler-Hill said. “Even though I was like in fourth grade. I think I would have a lot more appreciation for it now.

“That would be cool if they did both of them again, though. A little relapse? That would be really, really cool."

The chances of it happening might be as slim as the chances that Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer gets the start over Tom Brady on Sunday, but Hoyer is all for it — meaning, all for Jackson to get the nod.

“Yeah, why not?’’ he said. “It would be great if she made a cameo.’’

The opposing players suddenly seemed unified

“If she came, then cool," Eagles defensive tackle Elijah Qualls said. “But I’ll take what I get."

But Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers said he could understand if Jackson was reluctant.

“I don’t think she wants to be part of the Super Bowl after that malfunction," he said. “But she cool, yeah.

“I believe it was an accident. So (Timberlake) said it was an accident, I believe it was an accident. But she cool, though. She don’t got to be here just because he’s there, I guess."

But why should Timberlake get to perform unless Jackson does, too?

“That’s a fair point," Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming said. “Bring her back. Everybody deserves a second chance, right?"

But Graham, the veteran safety for the Eagles, suggested the NFL would have to look beyond Timberlake and Jackson if they’re ready to spice things up beyond Nipplegate proportions.

“I don’t know, these days, man, how crazy as it is now, there’s no telling what people will do these days," Graham said. “If you pick the right person to do the halftime show, they probably could top that."