NATIONWIDE -- Fans of the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants have signed a petition, asking for a special tribute during the 2019 Super Bowl.
- SpongeBob fans start petition for Super Bowl tribute
- Fans want the song 'Sweet Victory' to play during halftime
- SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg died last week
The petition wants the NFL to allow the power ballad "Sweet Victory" to be played during the game's halftime show. The request comes days after SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg died of ALS.
"As a tribute to his legacy, his contributions to a generation of children, and to truly showcase the greatness of this song, we call for Sweet Victory to be performed at the Halftime Show," the petition states.
It may seem like a strange request, but there's a very specific reason behind it. During the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Band Geeks," SpongeBob and his friends perform "Sweet Victory" in front of crowd at the Bubble Bowl, which is basically the show's version of the Super Bowl.
The change.org petition currently has more than 500,000 signatures.
Super Bowl 53 is set for February 3, 2019, in Atlanta. Maroon 5 is set to perform during the halftime show.