Off The Record

Reba McEntire’s Moving Performance Of The National Anthem At The Super Bowl Brought One NFL Star To Tears

Published on February 13, 2024

It’s difficult to remain neutral throughout a Reba McEntire song.

With nearly 45 years of experience, the country music icon has been performing emotional hits and romantic ballads.

Therefore, it might not have come as a huge surprise when she moved one of the toughest guys in sports to tears with her rendition of the National Anthem prior to kickoff on Sunday of the Super Bowl.

With a stunning performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” McEntire helped kick off the football championship game.

The camera panted over the players as they prepared to take the field while her voice soared through the bars.

Chris Jones, a defensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, peered into the camera while tears streamed down his face, while the other team members kept their heads down, attempting to keep focused on the important game they were about to play.

The music, Reba’s voice, and the heightened emotions leading up to the game had obviously taken a toll on the two-time All-Pro player.

In the midst of the enormous spectacle of Super Bowl LVIII, it was a wonderful, genuine moment.

During the pre-game festivities, McEntire wasn’t the only one to give an emotional performance.

Andra Day gave a stirring performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” while Post Malone performed a folky rendition of “America the Beautiful” while holding an acoustic guitar.

McEntire has performed in similar capacities a few times before, so she was more than ready for this gig.

As we’ve previously documented, she has been singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for years, even though this was her first time performing at the Super Bowl.

Tears run as Reba McEntire sings the US National Anthem 🇺🇸😢 pic.twitter.com/TvJlKSM7bU
— Sky Sports NFL (@SkySportsNFL) February 11, 2024

Upon the announcement of the performance, McEntire stated, “I’ve been singing the National Anthem, well a long time,” in an interview with CBS Mornings. “I started singing in 1974 singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. I sang the National Anthem there for 10 years.”

For The Voice mentor and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, it is evident that all that practice paid off.