When Did the NFL Start Playing the National Anthem?

The NFL has been playing the national anthem at games for many years, but when did it start? There are a few different stories about how this tradition began. Read on to learn more about the history of the national anthem at NFL games.

A Short History of the National Anthem in the NFL

The playing of the national anthem before NFL games began in 1918, during the first year of the league’s existence. The custom then fell out of favor for several years before becoming a tradition in the 1930s. Since then, it has been a tradition at almost all NFL games, with a few notable exceptions.

The playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before NFL games is now such a ingrained part of the game-day experience that it’s hard to imagine a time when it wasn’t part of the proceedings. However, the tradition actually began less than 100 years ago, during the first year of the league’s existence.

The first recorded instance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” being played at an NFL game came on Nov. 11, 1918, when WWI was coming to an end. The game between the Buffalo All-Americans and the Detroit Heralds was held at Detroit’s Tiger Stadium (not to be confused with the modern-day stadium of the same name), and both teams stood on the sidelines while band members played “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

After this initial instance, there are no records of “The Star-Spangled Banner” being played at any other NFL games for nearly 15 years. It is possible that it was played occasionally during this time period, but there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

In 1931, four years after the NFL changed its name from the American Professional Football Association to its current moniker, “The Star-Spangled Banner” once again became a regular fixture at NFL games. This new era of anthem performances coincided with patriotically charged times in America, as WWII loomed on the horizon.

Since then, with a few notable exceptions, “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been sung or played before every NFL game.

Why the NFL Started Playing the National Anthem

Prior to 2009, the NFL had a long-standing tradition of playing the national anthem before every game. But after 9/11, that all changed. The NFL began a new tradition of asking everyone in attendance to stand and remove their hats during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The reason for this change was simple: to show respect for the men and women who have served or are serving our country in the armed forces. This gesture also serves as a way to unify all fans, regardless of their team allegiance, under one common cause – patriotism.

In addition to standing and removing their hats, many people also choose to place their hand over their heart during the national anthem. This is not required, but it is a way to show extra respect for our country and its symbols.

So, why did the NFL start playing the national anthem before games? To honor those who have served or are serving our country, and to unify all fans under one common cause – patriotism.

How the NFL Decides When to Play the National Anthem

The decision of when to play the national anthem before NFL games is made by each individual team, according to a league spokesperson.

The NFL rule book doesn’t mandate that the national anthem be played before games, though it does state that players must be on the sideline for the anthem.

“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem,” the rule book states. “During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking.”

The spokesperson said teams typically make their own decisions about when to play the anthem based on “custom and tradition,” though they declined to elaborate on what those traditions are.

Some have speculated that playing the anthem before games became standard practice after NFL players started kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest racial injustice in 2016. Then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first to do so, and he said he was protesting police brutality and racial inequality.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in 2016. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Since then, several other players have joined in Kaepernick’s protest by either taking a knee or raising a fist during the national anthem.

The Controversy Surrounding the National Anthem in the NFL

In recent years, the playing of the national anthem has become a controversial topic in the NFL. Some players have chosen to kneel or sit during the anthem as a way to protest police brutality and racial inequality, while others have stood in solidarity with those protesting. The issue came to a head in 2016, when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting or kneeling during the anthem as a way to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Kaepernick’s protests led to other players following suit, and the issue became a major talking point both inside and outside of the NFL. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue, saying that players who kneel during the anthem should be fired. The following year, the NFL enacted a rule requiring all players on the field to stand for the anthem, but gave them the option of staying in the locker room if they choose not to stand. The rule was met with criticism from both players and fans, and was eventually rescinded in 2019. Since then, there has been no league-wide policy on how players should handle the anthem, and individuals are free to make their own decisions on whether to stand or kneel.