Is the NFL Going to Play Two Anthems?

The NFL has announced that they will play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before every game in Week 1. However, some people are wondering if this is just a one-time thing or if the NFL will continue to play two anthems.

Introduction

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement on Wednesday that the league is “exploring all options” with regards to playing the national anthem before games, including the possibility of playing two anthems.

Goodell’s statement came in response to a question about whether the NFL would consider playing both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – often referred to as the Black national anthem – before games, in an effort to show support for racial justice.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” has been played at NFL games since 2009, but there has been growing calls in recent years for players to be given the opportunity to kneel or sit during the song to protest racial injustice. These calls intensified following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis in May.

What is the NFL?

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The NFL is one of the four major North American professional sports leagues, the highest professional level of American football in the world, the wealthiest professional sport league by revenue, and the sport league with the most valuable teams.

What is an anthem?

An anthem is “a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism.” The National Anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” According to Merriam Webster, an anthem is “a song of praise or devotion.”

What is the NFL’s current anthem policy?

NFL’s current anthem policy requires players to stand during the national anthem, but does not require them to kneel. The policy was enacted in 2009, after complaints from military families that players were kneeling during the anthem as a form of protest. In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. His protests spread to other players and teams, and the issue became a major topic of debate. In 2017, the NFL issued a statement saying that it “believes everyone should stand for the National Anthem.” However, the league did not change its anthem policy. In 2018, several players continued to kneel during the anthem, and the issue remained a controversial topic.

What are the two anthems?

The NFL is reportedly considering playing both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before games during the upcoming season.

According to a report from ESPN’s The Undefeated, the league is in talks withmusic artists, including country music star Toby Keith, about performing the two songs back-to-back.

The report comes as the NFL is facing criticism for its handling of player protests during the national anthem. In 2016, then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. Other players soon joined his protest, and the issue became a major topic of conversation during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

In May, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would “encourage” players to stand for the anthem, but stopped short of saying that players would be required to do so.

The move to consider playing two anthems could be seen as an attempt by the NFL to placate both players who want to protest and fans who are upset about the protests. It’s unclear if or when a decision will be made on whether to actually play two anthems during games.

What are the lyrics to the two anthems?

The lyrics to the two anthems are as follows:

Anthem 1:
“Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

Anthem 2:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”

Who wrote the two anthems?

The NFL is considering playing two anthems at upcoming games, one for the United States and one for Mexico, in response to the protests that have been going on during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The protests began last year when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Other players followed suit, and the protests have continued into this season.

Now, the NFL is considering playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the U.S. and “La Raza Cosmica” for Mexico at its games, in order to show its appreciation for both countries.

It is unclear who would sing the anthems, or if they would be played back-to-back or separately. It is also unclear if all games would feature both anthems, or if it would just be certain games.

The NFL has not commented on the reports of it considering two anthems.

What is the history of the two anthems?

The national anthem of the United States of America, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom and set to the tune of an earlier song by John Stafford Smith. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was adopted as the national anthem on March 3, 1931.

“God Save the Queen” is the national anthem of the United Kingdom and one of two national anthems used by New Zealand since 1977, as well as for several of the UK’s territories that have their own additional local anthem. It is also the royal anthem of Canada, and—since 1953—one of four such anthems used by Australia (after “Advance Australia Fair”, “God Defend New Zealand” and “Waltzing Matilda”). It was first performed in London in 1745.

What is the controversy surrounding the two anthems?

The controversy surrounding the two anthems is whether or not to play them both before NFL games. There are those who feel that playing both the national anthem and “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” would be a way to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, while others believe that it would be disrespectful to the flag and Anthem.

What are people saying about the controversy?

polarized reactions to the NFL’s decision to have both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” played before Week 1 games.
Many argue that playing both songs is a sign of respect for America’s history, while others believe that it is a political statement that does not take into consideration the racial implications of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Some believe that the NFL is trying to have it both ways by appearing to support both Black Lives Matter and the military, while others argue that this is a genuine effort to show solidarity with the Black community.
What do you think?

What is the NFL’s stance on the controversy?

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and recent protests against racial injustice, the NFL is facing pressure to make changes to the way it operates. One of the most prominent suggestions is that the league should play both the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before games this season.

The NFL has not yet made a decision on whether or not to play both songs, but they are reportedly considering it. League officials are reportedly divided on the issue, with some believing that it would be a sign of solidarity with protesters and others feeling that it would be disrespectful to the flag.

If the NFL does decide to play both songs, it would be a significant break from tradition. For decades, the league has only played “The Star Spangled Banner” before games, with some players choosing to kneel in protest during its performance.

What is the resolution to the controversy?

Since 2016, Colin Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has been kneeling during the National Anthem as a way to protest racial injustice in America. This act of peaceful protest has gained traction in recent years, with many other NFL players following suit. For some people, this is a sign of disrespect to the flag and to the military; for others, it is a powerful symbol of the fight for social justice.

The controversy came to a head in September of 2017, when President Donald Trump called for NFL players who knelt during the anthem to be fired. Since then, the debate over whether or not players should be required to stand during the anthem has raged on.

As of right now, it seems that the resolution to this controversy is that the NFL will play two anthems before games – one for those who wish to stand and one for those who wish to kneel – in order to respect both sides of the issue. This has not been officially confirmed by the NFL, but it appears to be the most likely outcome at this time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NFL is not planning on playing two anthems anytime soon. However, they are taking steps to make sure that all players and fans feel respected during the pre-game ceremonies. We will have to wait and see how this all plays out in the coming season.