NFL fans savage national anthem performance before Browns-Ravens game on ESPN: ‘My ears are bleeding’
NFL fans brutally mocked singer Jimmy Charles for his rendition of the national anthem before the Browns took on the Ravens on Saturday.
M&T Bank Stadium held a moment of silence following the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans and the recent death of President Jimmy Carter.
Charles then sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” but his performance was trashed by supporters on social media.
ESPN recorded the national anthem and a moment of silence for Jimmy Carter and the victims of the New Orleans terrorist attacks two days after the scandal emerged over Sugar Bowl coverage.
The broadcaster left fans fuming on Jan. 2 when they left the New Orleans tribute live from coverage from the city where the Sugar Bowl was postponed a day because of the New Year’s Eve attack.
But it made no such mistake on Saturday with its coverage of the Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.
Jimmy Charles sang what some on social media say is the worst national anthem ever
The tribute at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland was not only for the 14 people killed in New Orleans, but also for former President Jimmy Carter, whose funeral was held Saturday in Atlanta.
ESPN has faced angry backlash in the days following its coverage of Notre Dame’s victory over Georgia in New Orleans, with the main broadcaster missing the stirring tribute before the city went into mourning.
But fans watching Saturday’s Ravens game from home all reacted the same way when the tribute aired in the United States.
“JFC Jimmy Charles, that is one of the WORST ‘national anthem’ performances of all time…” said one NFL fan.
“That was by far the worst national anthem I’ve ever heard in my life! I literally can’t believe it.’
‘Browns/Ravens – I don’t care who wins. We all lost after hearing that terrible, terrible, terrible attempt at ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’
“Whoever @Ravens sang the national anthem…please never let him do that again. My ears are bleeding,” someone said.
“The national anthem singer just now definitely has a shot at the top two worst performances of the Star Spangled Banner, second only to Fergie,” said another.
‘We have a new entrant to consider in the “Worst Sports National Anthem” competition! Jimmy Charles before the Ravens game was so bad my wife even said “ewww, what was that?!”‘ added a third.
A collection of social media posts about how awful Jimmy Charles’ national anthem was
Charles was also presented with a personalized Ravens jersey before his national anthem
Charles’ version has since become the most mocked anthem before a sporting event Ingrid Andress sang it before the MLB Home Run Derby in July.
Andress later admitted to being drunk during the performance and checked himself into rehab.
Charles is a country singer born in Ocean City, Maryland, and his hometown football team gave him the opportunity to sing the national anthem in front of a national audience.
He appeared on “American Idol” in 2010 after taking the typical big risk in the country music industry and moving to Nashville.
Before singing the national anthem, Charles received a personalized No. 50 jersey from the Ravens. He also posted a video to his Instagram Story of himself warming up Lamar Jackson.
Being part of the Ravens’ fold did not protect him from massive criticism.