- The NFL has had the song played or performed at every Super Bowl since 2020
- While some criticized the song, others praised Day’s performance on Sunday
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Sports fans on social media divided opinion over a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Super Bowl LVIII — with many praising Andra Day’s singing, while others objected to the song being sung at all.
“Lift Every Voice” is recognized by the NAACP as the “Black National Anthem” for African Americans and has been performed during the NFL championship game since Super Bowl LV in the 2020 season.
Some conservatives on social media were unhappy that this tradition continued – with political analysts and Republican politicians vowing to boycott the game.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (right) tweeted about a conversation he had with his wife and said he wouldn’t watch the show because “they are desecrating the US National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem.’ ‘
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly wrote: “The so-called Black National Anthem has no place in the Super Bowl. We already have an anthem and it includes EVERYONE.’
Andra Day performed the black anthem ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ during the Super Bowl
Conservatives on social media objected to the crackdown taking place at all
Other conservative Twitter accounts joined in the pile-on — again without criticizing its performance, but excepting the fact that it was there at all.
“There is no such thing as a ‘black national anthem,’” one account wrote. “If you have a problem with the AMERICAN National Anthem, feel free to leave.”
Another said, “There is no such thing as a ‘black anthem.’ The end.’
Of course, as usual in America, there were just as many people on the other side of the aisle praising the inclusion of LEVAS.
New York Rep. Ritchie Torres (D) tweeted Gaetz’s post, saying, “The Black National Anthem – “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – has been part of our nation’s history since the early 20th century. Erasing African American history as American history is a form of racism that runs deep within the far right.’
Others praised the achievement, while questioning and mocking the conservative outrage
Former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson praised Day’s performance, saying, “Holy s**t Andra Day absolutely killed Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Another account wrote, “That was a black anthem to remember…great from Andra Day and everyone up there.”
Others mocked the outrage, with one account tweeting: ‘Time for the obligatory tweets: “WHY ARE THERE TWO NATIONAL ANTHEMS SPREADING SO DIVERSITY, WHAT IS A BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM AAAAAAAAA WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.” Call Andra Day even if she shoots.”
Lift Every Voice and Sing is a Christian hymn written in 1900 and included in several Christian hymnals of many denominations.
During pregame ceremonies for the first week of the 2020 NFL season, the league said the song would be played or performed in the wake of that summer’s George Floyd protests.
A recorded performance by Alicia Keys was played at Super Bowl LV and has been played at every Super Bowl since.
That includes performances by Gospel duo Mary Mary at Super Bowl LVI and Sheryl Lee Ralph at Super Bowl LVII.