The NFL has no plans to drop the Black national anthem ahead of the Super Bowl, though its most conservative supporters are outraged. Consequently, a number of football enthusiasts have voiced intentions to boycott the gridiron showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9.
Since the rollout of its social-justice initiative in 2020, the league has designated a performer to sing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” as part of the pre-game festivities. The backlash surrounding the tradition comes as reports indicate that President Donald Trump is expected to attend.
The Republican figure returned to office on Jan. 20 and has issued a series of executive orders intended to restore what he calls America’s “golden era” by reversing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and pursuing large-scale deportation efforts.
The NFL’s adoption of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing emerged in the wake of civil unrest triggered by the police killing of George Floyd in 2020 and the kneeling movement led by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. It made its debut at the Super Bowl in 2021.
An angry observer wrote, “This year we will not be watching the Super Bowl if they’re going to play the black national anthem.” Another person commented, “I won’t be watching the Superbowl because of the unearned special treatment provided by allowing a different national anthem to be played other than THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.”
@realDonaldTrump please don’t go to the SB where the woke NFL will play the black national anthem. The is wrong and divisive. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/63DSg9dvjB
— Lu (@Luellen1M) February 5, 2025
A third critic proclaimed, “Let’s Cancel Culture the Super Bowl like Bud Light. The NFL and the advertisers need a Wake up Call. The loyal viewers don’t need a Woke up Call.”
A recurring argument among boycott proponents is that there is one national anthem that represents all Americans, and that a second rendition deepens division. “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” was designated the Black national anthem by the NAACP in 1919 and became a rallying cry for the civil rights era.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” earned its status as the nation’s anthem by a congressional declaration in 1931. Proposals to tune out the Super Bowl have been met with counterarguments from others. An online comment reads, “Hey MAGA, your racism is (once again) showing. You might wanna tuck that back in.”
CNN host Abby Phillip becomes visibly upset that the NFL is removing “END RACISM” from the end zone for the Super Bowl.
Democrats are losing the culture war because the culture is sick of the Democrats.
Stop injecting race into everything, America isn’t interested. pic.twitter.com/8k9Od1vu9c— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 5, 2025
A second person asked, “Why do Republicans hate diversity and inclusion?” A third reaction states, “Well how about we skip the national anthem as well lol since it doesn’t apply to all!!!!”
On Sunday, Grammy-winning singer Ledisi will belt out the hymn, and Crescent City native Trombone Shorty and Christian music artist Lauren Daigle will join forces for “America the Beautiful” before football’s big night officially kicks off.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” will be performed by Jon Batiste moments ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs battling it out for the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the televised event at Caesars Superdome. The highly anticipated halftime show is being helmed by hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar.
