The singing of the national anthem before the Super Bowl is an annual tradition and shows that the game is about more than football. It’s about the spectacle, the celebration, the entertainment.
One highlight is the performance of the national anthem. Who does that honor fall to in 2024 when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58?
Who Is Performing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in 2024?
Singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl is a huge distinction for any performer and is a highlight of many careers. In 2024, the privilege falls to a veteran of the music scene, whose career has endured almost 50 years.
The national anthem at Super Bowl 58 will be performed by multi-award-winning country singer Reba McEntire, who will perform at the NFL’s showpiece game for the first time at the age of 68.
McEntire is one of country music’s biggest stars, and her career has spanned across music, film, and TV.
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Among McEntire’s achievements are three Grammy wins and 17 nominations, with her first win coming in 1987. The country singer crosses generations, and she’s now a coach in The Voice and has guest-starred in Young Sheldon.
With over 75 million records sold since her career began in 1975, McEntire is a choice that has been widely accepted by NFL fans, and she’s looking forward to the performance.
Hey y’all! Tune in for a special broadcast of the @AppleMusic Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Press Conference live! @NFL #SBLVIII
Tune in here: https://t.co/6B8HO91guj pic.twitter.com/xfO1MUirJL
— Reba McEntire (@reba) February 8, 2024
The official announcement came on CBS Mornings on Jan. 18, 2024, with McEntire speaking to hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson about her excitement.
McEntire is extremely prepared, having performed The Star-Spangled Banner for decades. “I’ve been singing the National Anthem, well a long time,” McEntire said. “But I started singing in 1974, singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. I sang the National Anthem there for 10 years.”
Continuing McEntire said, “You just warm up like you do a concert and sing it about five or six times and get in there and do it!”
There will be no special rehearsal techniques from McEntire, who is an experienced performer. She’ll just be singing to her boyfriend, actor Rex Linn.
“I’ve been singing the National Anthem in the shower and when we get in the car,” McEntire told Apple Music.
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McEntire reiterated her gratitude and what an honor it is to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. “It’s not about me. I’m the representation of this song, and I’m just honored to get to sing it. It’s a good one. I’ve been doing it for 50 years, and I’m really proud to get to sing it.”
Sharing on CBS Mornings, McEntire said she was initially reluctant to take the role but was persuaded by Linn.
The country star said the NFL contacted her manager, who rang her to give her the news — to which she initially responded, “Oh my gosh, well let me think about that.” Then Linn, who is a huge football fan, interrupted and said, “Yes! Absolutely she’ll do it.”
McEntire also took to social media to share the news with her fans with the caption, “How I met y’all. I’m still here.”
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