NFL fans expressed bewilderment and outrage after a Mexican mariachi band was trotted out to perform the national anthem before this week’s Monday Night Football game.
People who showed up at Soldier Field and tuned in to watch the hometown Chicago Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles were aghast when the musicians in sombreros launched into a strange version of “The Star-Banner” in the latest desecration of the anthem for a league that used to pride itself on its patriotism.
The Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico treated the fans in the seats and viewers on ESPN to their salsa-dipped rendition of the song, a part of the Bears’ annual Latino Heritage Month celebration that a league always eager to promote its product to foreign audiences was likely thrilled to see.
The Mariachi Herencia de México performed the national anthem in Chicago 🎶 pic.twitter.com/6Sv20SBqIr
— ESPN (@espn) September 29, 2026
While the trumpets blared to the unfurling of a gigantic American flag at midfield, the camera panned to the reactions of players and coaches, some of whom appeared to have confused looks on their faces.
It was the first time that a mariachi band had performed the national anthem before a Bears game, history in the making before a sold-out crowd at Soldier Field and a national television audience.
X users were mucho caliente over what some perceived to be an insult to the nation’s honor.
I see NFL still hasn’t learned their lesson after last year’s Bad Bunny disaster https://t.co/kXUi7nqqL7
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) September 29, 2026
Why the hell is there a mariachi band on my TV performing the Star Spangled Banner for a Monday Night Football game in Chicago? What country do we live in? pic.twitter.com/QNJ7yNSzPe
— 🇺🇸 The American Culturist 🇺🇸 (@MericaCulture) September 29, 2026
Mariachi band playing the national anthem -FAIL… play that shit at a soccer game
— Johnny Ringo 🏁 (@boodog4849) September 29, 2026
Whoever thought a mariachi band playing the National Anthem was a good idea needs to be launched into outer space.
Bear down.
— Tommy Hook (@Thomas_hook) September 29, 2026
A Mexican mariachi band playing the American National Anthem with a Spanish twist is the most disrespectful thing ever done. The @nfl and @nflcommish disrespected The United States and every American.
— Ever_Defiant (@DefiantResista1) September 29, 2026
Why the hell are Mexicans doing the National Anthem? Disgrace to our beautiful country.
— College Football Cartel (@CFBCartel) September 29, 2026
A Mexican mariachi band doing the US national anthem on Monday Night Football in Chicago. This is what America is now.
— Culver’s Groyper (@culvers_groypr) September 29, 2026
Did they just have a mariachi band play the national anthem on Monday Night Football!?! It would have been epic if ICE would have arrested a few of the band members during the performance.
— A (@Random_Mcgyver) September 29, 2026
The south of the border rendition of the anthem comes a year after Operation Midway Blitz, a multi-agency surge to round up and deport illegals in the Windy City that had Democrats roaring in fury at President Donald J. Trump and his immigration policies.
In the action on the field, the Bears were untroubled by the absence of injured superstar quarterback Caleb Williams, with backup Case Keenum throwing for two touchdowns and running for another as the new Monsters of the Midway mauled the Eagles 27-7.
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