Tonight at the opening of the NFL season it was time for the National Anthem. Instead of the National Anthem playing, they had The Kansas City Boys Choir and The Kansas City Girls Choir Sing the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” People were very upset by this big change, but some were fine with it. At the end, they put their hands over their hearts and then the crowd booed. It was the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions.
Fans Head To Twitter Upset
Fans went to Twitter very upset over this change. Here is what some of them had to say:
- Was there one? They didn’t broadcast the national anthem, only Lift Every Voice and Sing
- So they are still pretending the singing of “lift every voice and sing” isn’t a #racist replacement for the actual National Anthem. I don’t care if they don’t play the National Anthem before the game. But don’t act like it’s virtuous to play the Black National Anthem.
the huge divide that exists in the country was on perfect display during the performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing. The looks on the people in the crowd said it all.
- The side eye the one child has toward the camera while she sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is great and she should me named MVP.
- “Lift every voice & sing” is such a lovely song.
- Yep, all because the song was Lift Every Voice and Sing. Racism at it’s finest.
“Lift every voice” first time i saw they sing this live on national football this is cool #FOOTBALLISBACK pic.twitter.com/JetfVQu41d
— vexan (@treeshardar) September 8, 2023
Other Fans Loved The Change
Others loved the change and really enjoyed hearing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Here is what some of them had to say:
- Ok so that youth choir performance of lift every voice and sing was a bit off key but did Kansas City just boo a group of children? Come on man
- KC fans booing a youth choir singing lift every voice and sing? wow…..
- Used to sing lift every voice every day in elementary
- I really enjoy the faces when the camera pans around arenas through “lift every voice & sing” and it’s 100% not the first time they’ve heard it but the mass confusion is chefs kiss
- Lift Every Voice and Sing should be our actual anthem…It’s so much better!
- Please tell me why the crowd didn’t know the words to “lift every voice and sing?” Do better America. Be together as 1 #ChiefsVsLions #ThursdayNightFootball #ChiefsKingdom
What did you think of this change tonight at the start of the NFL football game? Sound off in the comments below.
None of the @Chiefs fans knew the words to Lift Every Voice and Sing. 🤦🏾 @NFL @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/FTcJfctEcf
— eohhphilly (@eohhphilly) September 8, 2023
Update: They finally did the National Anthem right before the start of the game, but most fans thought it wasn’t coming by this point and many were still upset.