SpongeBob SquarePants is a second language for the internet. So when the wider world heard that the NFL might include a tribute to the Nickelodeon show in response to a petition, they were more than a little excited.
Fans were ready to see their favorite source of nautical nonsense tear through a rendition of his stadium-rock jam "Sweet Victory." What they got instead was a lot of fire, a ton of Adam Levine and about 10 seconds of Bikini Bottom.
People who tuned in to hear SpongeBob weren't happy with the bait and switch:
They laid into the NFL for getting their hopes up. Viewers were ready to rock, and all they got was a boulder.
Given that SpongeBob is primo meme fodder, it took almost no time for the classics to come out.
Some viewers saved people who weren't watching live by creating abridged versions:
And others pointed out the thinking process of halftime show producers:
For what it's worth, the sponge himself appreciated being included:
