Now That Is How You Sing the “Star-Spangled Banner”
Before a single snap was taken at the NFC Championship between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, the home crowd at Lumen Field had already witnessed something special.
Seattle didn’t just bring in any artist to sing the national anthem. They called on a rising country star who actually hails from Washington state—and who just happens to sound like he walked straight out of a 1990s country record.
Zach Top under theses arches! 🙌 Don’t miss his national anthem ahead of the NFC Championship. pic.twitter.com/93PzNBcsdF
— Lumen Field (@LumenField) January 25, 2026
If you haven’t figured it out yet, yes—Zach Top.
Born and raised in Sunnyside, Washington, the 28-year-old neotraditional country standout isn’t exactly from the Deep South. Which, of course, has led to the ongoing joke (or conspiracy theory) that the “I Never Lie” singer might be stretching the truth just a little when it comes to that classic country twang.
🇺🇸 @Zachtopmusic performs the national anthem
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/q52tYCO5Gy
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 25, 2026
But here’s the thing:
Who cares—when it sounds that good?
A Moment That Stopped the Stadium
Just minutes before kickoff, Zach Top stepped onto the field at Lumen Field and delivered a textbook, spine-tingling rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” No vocal gymnastics. No over-singing. Just a steady, confident performance that honored the song and let the moment speak for itself.
Zach Top NFC Championship national anthem?? pic.twitter.com/NsCklXzQZ6
— Jake! (@JakeAndBall) January 25, 2026
For anyone unfamiliar with his music, the anthem served as a proper introduction. And judging by the flood of phones coming out and search engines lighting up, it’s safe to say “Who is Zach Top?” was being Googled in real time.
Country fans already knew what was coming.
NFL fans learned fast.
Everything You Want in an Anthem
The performance had it all:
A massive American flag stretched across the field
Never heard of Zach Top but I think I just heard the national anthem performed at the highest level. What a voice! ❤️🔥 🇺🇸
— Phill2ERA🔫 (@Phill2ERA) January 25, 2026
A perfectly timed flyover
And Zach Top hitting every note with calm authority
It was powerful without being flashy. Emotional without being forced. The kind of anthem that reminds you why it matters.
Zach Top should be the Super Bowl halftime performer, not a man in a dress.
— Jake Franklin Football (@JakeFranklinFB) January 25, 2026
Honestly? It may have been the highlight of the entire NFC Championship—and it happened before the football was even snapped.
Fans Agreed
Social media lit up immediately, with fans from both worlds echoing the same sentiment:
That’s how it’s supposed to be done.
No controversy. No gimmicks. Just a rising star, a classic song, and a stadium locked in.
Hey—
They said it. Not me.