Reba McEntire gave the Paradise, Nevada crowd something they will never forget during Sunday night’s Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.
The crowd went wild for her enchanted performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and even we at home got chills. Defensive tackle Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs started to cry as he was clearly moved by the occasion.
What we needed to kick off the game was the three-time Grammy winner’s unforgettable performance.
The national anthem by Reba McEntire
Everyone knows that singing the national anthem before the Super Bowl kickoff is a huge deal, so when Chris Stapleton performed a stunning rendition of the song last year, fans had high hopes for the iconic Oklahoma native.
After Reba finished, the crowd went wild, creating a fantastic atmosphere for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers game.
If Taste of Country is to be believed, the National Anthem was performed by a country singer for the fourth consecutive year in 2024 by the NFL.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
The 68-year-old Reba dropped some juicy performance information a month ago. During an interview with CBS Mornings, the country music sensation explained why she gladly accepted the request to perform the national anthem.
The word came to me from my boss…According to McEntire, “Oh my gosh, well, let me think about that” was her response when asked if she would like to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. “In addition, my boyfriend Rex Linn, who is an avid football fan, confirmed, ‘Yes! She’ll do it!'” Without a doubt!
She felt absolutely ready for the big occasion since, as she told herself, she had trained so much. Singing the national song in the shower and when we get in the car is something McEntire has been doing, she said.
After performing in the Super Bowl for the first time, Reba told Apple Music host Nadeska Alexis that it was an honor beyond words.
In honor of everyone who has fought so valiantly for our freedom and peace, including my fellow Americans and individuals from all across the globe, I get to perform a very special song. This isn’t about me; rather, I am this song’s embodiment, and it is a privilege to be able to perform it. It’s an excellent one. It’s an honor to be able to sing it again after 50 years of practice.
Opinions vary
On X and other social media sites, many voiced their thoughts about the performance; one user even went so far as to criticize McEntire’s visage. Her voice is severely impaired due to her plastic surgery. I had to bring Stapleton back; he was the best I’ve ever seen,” they wrote on Twitter.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
“Apologies, Reba, but I thought she was terrible,” another person said, echoing a similar sentiment.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
Some were more complimentary, with one commenting, “Outstanding performance by Reba!” That is the proper method to sing our national anthem at all times.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024