When Did The National Anthem Start At NFL Games?

The national anthem has been a part of NFL games for decades, but when did it first start? We take a look at the history of the national anthem at NFL games.

Introduction

It is a tradition that is as old as the NFL itself. From the very first game played in 1920, the playing of the national anthem before kickoff has been a part of every contest since. But it wasn’t until 2009 that every game featured someone singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” live on-field before kickoff.

For many years, it was common for bands to play the anthem live at halftime of NFL games. NBC began broadcasting games in 1956 and would often air the anthem live before kickoff, but it wasn’t until the broadcast of Super Bowl IV in 1970 that every game featured someone singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” live on-field before kickoff.

It wasn’t until 2009, though, that the NFL made it mandatory for all teams to have someone sing the national anthem live on-field before each game. The rule change was made in the wake of 9/11 as a way to show unity and support for the country.

A Brief History of the National Anthem

The national anthem has been a part of NFL games for decades, but it wasn’t always that way. Let’s take a look at the history of the national anthem and how it became such a integral part of NFL culture.

Early renditions of the National Anthem

There are many different versions of the National Anthem that have been performed throughout the years. The earliest known version was written by John Stafford Smith in 1780, and it was used as aBritain’s naval code. In 1814, Francis Scott Key put new words to Smith’s music, and this version became popular in the United States. It wasn’t until 1931 that the National Anthem was officially adopted as the country’s official song.

The National Anthem has been performed at many different events throughout history. It was first performed at a baseball game in 1862, and it has been a tradition at Major League Baseball games ever since. The National Anthem was also played at the first NFL game in 1920, and it has been a tradition at NFL games ever since.

The Star-Spangled Banner becomes the National Anthem

It wasn’t until 1931 that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was officially named the national anthem of the United States. But the song’s journey to becoming such an integral part of American sports culture—and, by extension, Americana—actually began nearly a century earlier, on the night of September 14, 1814.

That evening, as Francis Scott Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a British ship in Baltimore’s harbor, he was inspired to write a poem that would later be set to music and become known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The lyrics were first published on September 20, 1814, and quickly became popular among both civilians and soldiers.

In the years following the War of 1812, “The Star-Spangled Banner” continued to gain popularity, and by the 1870s it had become a staple at patriotic events across the country. It wasn’t until 1918, however, that the song began to be played at baseball games. That year, during the seventh-inning stretch of Game One of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, soldiers in attendance at Fenway Park sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in honor of those who had recently fought in World War I.

The tradition quickly spread to other ballparks, and by WWII it had become common for both home and visiting teams to stand on the field and face the flag while singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before each game. Over time, as baseball grew into America’s pastime, so too did “The Star-Spangled Banner” become synonymous with the sport.

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick sparked a national debate when he chose to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” as a form of protest against racial injustice. Kaepernick’s protests—and those of other NFL players who followed his lead—brought renewed attention to both the song and its complicated history. Although “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been widely embraced as a symbol of American patriotism, its origins are actually quite dark; Key was a slave owner who wrote celebrating the death of African slaves who were killed during British bombardment of Fort McHenry.

The National Anthem at NFL Games

The National Anthem has been played at NFL games for many years now. Some people may think that it is a recent tradition, but it actually dates back quite a few years. Playing the National Anthem at NFL games is a way to show respect for the country and the flag. It is also a way to show support for the troops who are fighting for our freedom.

The first NFL game to feature the National Anthem

The first NFL game to feature the National Anthem was on September 16th, 1918, before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. The song was “The Star-Spangled Banner”, which had been designated as the United States’ national anthem in March of that year. The tradition of playing the National Anthem at NFL games has continued ever since, with a few exceptions.

One notable exception occurred on October 27th, 2001, when the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins played each other in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Instead of playing the National Anthem, both teams linked arms on the sidelines while a moment of silence was observed for those affected by the tragedy.

Since then, many players have chosen to kneel during the National Anthem as a form of peaceful protest against social injustice and police brutality. This movement began in 2016 when then-San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem before a pre-season game. His actions inspired similar protests from players across the league and kickstarted a nationwide conversation about race relations in America.

Why the National Anthem is played at NFL games

It is tradition for the national anthem to be played at NFL games. The national anthem is played before every game, and it is done as a sign of respect for our country and our flag. The national anthem is also a way to get the crowd pumped up for the game.

The national anthem was first played at an NFL game on October 28, 1918, before the game between the Buffalo All-Americans and the Chicago Tigers. The Buffalo All-Americans won that game, but it is not known if the national anthem had anything to do with their victory.

The idea of playing the national anthem at NFL games caught on, and it has been played at every NFL game since then. There are many different versions of the national anthem, but they all have one thing in common: they are all a way to show respect for our country and our flag.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is unknown exactly when the national anthem began being played at NFL games. However, it is clear that this tradition has been going on for many decades and is likely to continue for many years to come.