Before the highly anticipated kickoff between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, Grammy Award-winning artist Tasha Cobbs performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Arrowhead Stadium. Known as the “Black National Anthem,” the song has held a significant cultural place for years and has been performed at various events across the country. For the NFL, it has become a tradition to feature the anthem before the opening game of the regular season.
However, this tradition has sparked considerable outrage from a portion of the fanbase. Some fans took to social media, expressing their discontent and even threatening to boycott the league for playing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the Star-Spangled Banner.
One particularly vocal critic tweeted, “Why has the NFL replaced our National Anthem with the so-called ‘BLACK’ national anthem?! We have ONE national anthem, and it’s the Star-Spangled Banner. Does the NFL want to be Bud Lighted or something?” This post, like many others, quickly gained traction, with some fans expressing similar frustration.
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Former NFL defensive end Chris Long, known for his outspoken views on social and political issues, caught wind of the controversy and responded with a simple but pointed reply: “Fragile.” With this single word, Long made it clear that he found the outrage over the inclusion of the “Black National Anthem” unnecessary and overblown, calling out those who were overly sensitive about the matter.
Long’s comment highlighted a growing divide between fans who appreciate the NFL’s efforts to be more inclusive and those who feel the league is politicizing the game. Despite the uproar from a vocal minority, the NFL’s viewership numbers tell a different story.
Thursday night’s game between the Chiefs and Ravens drew an average audience of 28.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched NFL season opener in history. These record-breaking numbers suggest that despite the outrage and threats of boycotts, the majority of fans remain loyal to the NFL.
While it’s clear that certain individuals are upset over the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the massive TV ratings suggest that the protests aren’t translating into significant action. For many, football remains a beloved tradition, and efforts to make the sport more inclusive are seen as positive steps forward, rather than reasons to walk away.
In the end, while some continue to express frustration, the NFL’s decision to honor “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has not deterred the league’s massive following.
The controversy may persist in certain circles, but the ratings prove that fans, by and large, aren’t ready to abandon the game they love over the inclusion of the song.
