More than one million people have signed a petition calling for a SpongeBob Squarepants song to be played at the Super Bowl in honour of late creator Stephen Hillenburg.
Sweet Victory was performed at the fictional Bubble Bowl in a now iconic episode which saw the loveable yellow sponge belt out the track to a marching band featuring Mr Krabs, Patrick, Squidward and arch nemesis Plankton.
A Change.org petition was launched in the wake of Hillenburg’s death, calling on the song to be performed at the Halftime Show next month.
The petition reads: “Problem: As some of you may or may not know, Stephen Hillenburg – the creator of SpongeBob Sqaurepants – has passed away recently.
“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.
“Solution: Perform Sweet Victory at the Halftime Show (sic).”
Some 1,100,500 people have thrown their support behind the campaign with many agreeing it would be a great “honour”.
Hillenburg died, aged 57, on November 26, 2018, a year after he announced he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Nickelodeon announced the news in a statement which read: “We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honour his life and work.”
Hillenburg received two Emmy Awards and six Annie Awards, from the International Animated Film Association, for SpongeBob SquarePants.
Maroon 5 are slated to perform at this year's Halftime show but have faced criticism for not standing in solidarity with sportsman Colin Kaepernick who kneeled during the US National Anthem as a protest against police brutality.
