The NFL (National Football League) announced its decision to include the “Black National Anthem” in the Super Bowl LVIII pregame show, alongside the “Star Bangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”
Performing the controversial anthem will be singer Andra Day, who is best known for her hit song “Rise Up.” Day shared her excitement on social media with her fans.
Peace & Blessings!!! Performing the Anthem at the SuperBowl yall! Grateful! Thank You God 🤗🙏🏾 💚
See you on February 11th 🔥 @RocNation
📺: #SBLVIII on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/VEKu8vNsTy
— Andra Day (@AndraDayMusic) January 18, 2024
In September, former Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake went after the NFL during a Thursday night Kansas City Chiefs game during its pregame ceremonies. A local youth choir group performed a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem. The song was performed before the “Star-Spangled Banner” performance, and Lake was not impressed.
“I hear the NFL is still trying to force this divisive nonsense down America’s throats. I won’t stand for it, literally. America has only ONE national anthem, and that anthem is color blind,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I’m against a Black national anthem for the same reason I am against a White national anthem, a gay national anthem, a straight national anthem, a Jewish national anthem, a Christian national anthem, and so on,” she said in a written statement.
“We are ONE NATION, under God, Francis Scott Key’s words ring true for every American Citizen regardless of their skin color,” she added.
A debate emerged on social media about the song at sporting events, and others joined Lake, making it known they were against multiple national anthems. Among those expressing their displeasure was Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO).
“America only has ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM. Why is the NFL trying to divide us by playing multiple!? Do football, not wokeness,” Boebert said at the time.
Jarod Mayo, the new head coach of the New England Patriots, didn’t waste any time helping the NFL push its divisive agenda this week. During his opening press conference, he said, “I do see color because I believe if you don’t see color, you can’t see racism.”
Country music legend Reba McEntire will sing the national anthem in the pregame performances, while Post Malone will sing “America the Beautiful.”
The NFL previously announced that Usher will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 11.
