Before the Super Bowl halftime show triggered a wave of criticism, fans expressed their frustration with the NFL’s decision to include the “Black National Anthem” in the opening of Sunday’s game.
“America has one national anthem!” one social media user wrote, expressing the sentiments of many. “We’re sick of this woke bs.”
America has one national anthem! We’re sick of this woke bs
— Tammie McDonald 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@TammieMcDonal17) February 8, 2026
Grammy-winning singer Coco Jones performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the kickoff of the championship game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. She delivered a “soulful and powerful rendition of the song, as a string ensemble played behind her,” according to The Hollywood Reporter’s take on the performance.
While Jones earned praise for her singing talents, it was the National Football League’s insistence on including the so-called anthem once again that irked fans the most. The song, which has been added to Super Bowl pre-games since 2020, has sparked backlash year after year but the league continues to ignore fans who just want football, not political messages.
“Why do we even have a ‘Black National Anthem?’” Brilyn Hollyhand wrote on X. “Could you imagine the outrage if there were a ‘White National Anthem’? Why can’t we all just unite behind THE NATIONAL ANTHEM?”
Why do we even have a “Black National Anthem”?
Could you imagine the outrage if there were a “White National Anthem”?
Why can’t we all just unite behind THE NATIONAL ANTHEM? 🇺🇸
Is that really too much to ask for?
— Brilyn Hollyhand (@BrilynHollyhand) February 8, 2026
Others also ripped into the need to trot the additional anthem out every year.
We only have ONE national anthem. This is particularly dumb during the 250th anniversary year of this great nation.
— Professor Sayi, the View From Here. (@ProfessorSayi) February 8, 2026
Why is the NFL still pushing racism?
— Sports Patriot (@SportsPatriotUS) February 9, 2026
It’s just used to divide people.
We’re Americans. That’s it.
— David Monks (@DavidMonks2001) February 8, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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