Her magical rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ had the audience cheering, and us viewers at home were also left with goosebumps. Chris Jones, the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive lineman, was visibly moved by the moment and tears began to flow.
It was truly a performance to remember by the three-time Grammy winner – and what we all needed to start the game off!
Reba McEntire’s national anthem performance
As we know, there’s no bigger stage than belting out the anthem before the opening kickoff at the Super Bowl, and considering Chris Stapleton’s fantastic rendition last year, the expectations were sky-high for the legendary Oklahoma native.
The applause was thunderous once Reba concluded, setting a splendid tone for the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Taste of Country, 2024 was the fourth year in a row that the NFL booked a country singer to perform the national anthem.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
A month ago, the 68-year-old Reba revealed some intriguing details about her performance. In an interview with CBS Mornings, the country star said that she accepted the invitation to sing the national anthem for a specific reason.
”I got the news from my manager…he said they wanted me to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, well, let me think about that,’” McEntire recalled. ”And Rex Linn, my boyfriend, who is a huge football fan, he said, ‘Yes! She’ll do it! Absolutely!”
According to herself, she was well-prepared for the big moment – she had practiced diligently. “I’ve been singing the national anthem in the shower [and] when we get in the car,” said McEntire.
Reba also expressed that she felt “honored beyond words” to sing at the Super Bowl for the first time, she told Apple Music host Nadeska Alexis.
”I get to sing a very special song for all Americans, people all around the world, who have really worked so hard for our freedom and to give us peace. It’s not about me — I’m the representation of this song, and I’m just honored to get to sing it. It’s a good one. I’ve been doing it for 50 years, and I’m really proud to get to sing it.”
Mixed reactions
Lots of people took to social media platforms like X to comment their opinions on the performance, with one person focusing their attention on McEntire’s face. “She can hardly sing through that plastic surgery. Got to bring back Stapleton that was the best I ever seen,” they tweeted.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
Another shared a similar sentiment: “Sorry, I love Reba but I thought she was horrible.”
Sorry, I love Reba but I thought she was horrible.
— Dawn Keith 🇺🇦🇺🇸🇸🇪 (@dawn_keith) February 11, 2024
Others weren’t as critical, with one person saying: “Outstanding performance by Reba! Now that’s the way our National Anthem should be sung always.”
Outstanding performance by Reba! Now that's the way our National Anthem should be sung always. 🇺🇸
— KT 🇺🇦🇮🇱🇺🇲 (@KT_11110) February 11, 2024
Each to their own… What did you think of Reba McEntire’s performance? Let us know in the comments!
