- The NFL has played or performed the song at every Super Bowl since 2020.
- While some criticized the song, others praised Day’s performance on Sunday.
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
Sports fans on social media divided opinion over the performance of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ at Super Bowl LVIII, with many praising Andra Day’s singing and others opposing the song being sung.
‘Lift Every Voice’ is recognized by the NAACP as the ‘Black National Anthem’ for African Americans and has been performed at the NFL Championship Game since Super Bowl LV in the 2020 season.
Several conservatives on social media were unhappy that this tradition was continuing, and political analysts and Republican politicians vowed to boycott the game.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) tweeted an exchange he had with his wife saying he wouldn’t watch the show because “They are desecrating the American National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem.'”
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly wrote, “The so-called Black National Anthem doesn’t belong in the Super Bowl.” We already have a National Anthem and EVERYONE is in it.’
Andra Day performed the Black National Anthem, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ at the Super Bowl
Conservatives on social media opposed the performance taking place.
Other conservative Twitter accounts joined the avalanche, once again not criticizing the performance but objecting to it being there in the first place.
“There is no such thing as a ‘Black National Anthem,'” one account wrote. “If you have any problem with the AMERICAN National Anthem, feel free to leave.”
Another said: ‘There is no such thing as a “Black National Anthem.” The end.’
Of course, as is always the case in America, there were many on the opposite side of the aisle who praised the inclusion of LEVAS.
New York Rep. Ritchie Torres (D) tweeted Gaetz’s post, saying: ‘The Black National Anthem – “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – has been a part of our nation’s history since the early 20th century. “The erasure of African American history as American history is a form of racism that is deeply rooted in the far right.”
Others praised the performance while questioning and mocking conservative outrage.
Former NFL wide receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson praised Day’s performance, saying, “Holy shit, Andra Day absolutely killed Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Another account wrote: “That was a Black National Anthem to remember…amazing from Andra Day and everyone there.”
Others mocked the outrage, with one account tweeting: “Time for the obligatory tweets” WHY ARE THERE TWO NATIONAL ANTHEMNS THAT ARE SO DIVISIVE? WHAT IS A BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM? AAAAAAAAA WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.” Shout out to Andra Day even though she shoots.
Lift Every Voice and Sing is a Christian hymn written in 1900 that has appeared in multiple Christian hymnals of many denominations.
In pregame ceremonies for the first week of the 2020 NFL season, the league said the song would be played or performed after the George Floyd protests that summer.
A recorded performance by Alicia Keys was featured at Super Bowl LV and has been played at every Super Bowl since.
That includes performances by gospel duo Mary Mary at Super Bowl LVI and Sheryl Lee Ralph at Super Bowl LVII.