Garth Brooks fans mix up Bernie and Barry Sanders, berate country music star for his 'endorsement'

Garth Brooks.
(Image credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

You win some, you lose some, and you confuse some. Country music megastar Garth Brooks got into some hot water with fans this week after posting a photo of himself wearing a Barry Sanders NFL jersey to Instagram. Brooks, who wore the getup for his concert at Ford Field, had clearly meant to give Motor City's former Detroit Lions running back a nod, but the name "Sanders," plus Barry's number, 20, confused a lot of Brooks' more conservative fans.

"If this is for Bernie Sanders, I'm done with you," wrote one furious commenter. "I thought you were a true American that loves Our Country?"

"Sorry Garth ... don't think so," wrote another. "Just stick to music." Others echoed the sentiment: "Nothing like supporting a communist to lose a few fans!" threw in another.

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"Love you, hate the shirt," contributed yet another user. "Trump 2020."

While Brooks hasn't endorsed anyone for 2020, he did notably turn down an invitation to play at Donald Trump's inauguration. Still, there's no doubt about who he meant to celebrate with his choice of clothing: "Can I just tell ya that you guys got the greatest player in NFL history in my opinion," Brooks had raved to the stadium.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.