Did The NFL Play The Black National Anthem?
The NFL has come under fire for not playing the Black National Anthem before games. Some have called for a boycott of the league, but others have said that the NFL is a necessary part of the healing process.
Introduction
It was a momentous day in the National Football League (NFL) when the league played the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” prior to kick-off of every game on Sunday, September 20, 2020. This day was proclaimed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as “a dedicated day of recognition for the battle against systemic racism,” and it included other initiatives such as planting trees, providing financial support to Black-owned businesses, and donating to organizations that empower Black communities.
What Happened?
During Week 11 of the 2020 NFL season, the league made a special effort to recognize Veterans Day with several on-field tributes and performances. As part of these celebrations, Meghan Linsey sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” while a video played that showed military service members and veterans. Then,Pharoah Sanders performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — also known as the black national anthem — while a second video played that honored previously unsung heroes.
This led to some confusion on social media, with some people wondering why the black national anthem was played at an NFL game. While it’s true that “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has often been performed at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) during sporting events, this is believed to be the first time it has been played at an NFL game.
It’s worth noting that the NFL has a history of recognizing Veterans Day with special on-field tributes and performances. In 2013, for example, country music star Wynonna Judd sang “God Bless America” during a pre-game ceremony, while then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta delivered a message about the importance of supporting veterans.
What Does This Mean?
In a gesture of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement, some NFL teams played the black national anthem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” before games on Sunday. This has caused some confusion, so let’s break it down.
First, a little history: “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” was written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson as a poem to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. It quickly became a anthem for the NAACP and, later, the Civil Rights Movement.
Now, in 2020, some NFL teams are using it as a way to show support for Black Lives Matter. The Buffalo Bills were one of the first teams to do this, playing the song before their game against the Jets on Thursday night.
Other teams followed suit on Sunday, including the Seattle Seahawks, who played it before their game against the Patriots. The decision to play the anthem was made by Seahawks players, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
“Our guys felt like it was an appropriate thing to do,” Carroll said after the game. “I back our players always.”
The San Francisco 49ers also played “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” before their game against the Los Angeles Rams. Afterward, 49ers tight end George Kittle said he felt it was important to show support for Black Lives Matter.
“We understand that we have a platform,” Kittle said. “We understand that we can use our voices for good…we wanted to make sure that we showed our support.”
So there you have it! Playing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” is just one way NFL teams are showing support for Black Lives Matter.
Conclusion
To answer the question posed in the title, no, the NFL did not play the black national anthem at any point during the 2020 season. There are a number of reasons why this may be the case, but it is ultimately up to each individual team and league to decide whether or not they want to include the song as part of their game day experience. While some may see this as a missed opportunity to show solidarity with the black community, others may view it as a way to avoid politicizing the sport.
