The Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders game will welcome a special musical guest on Saturday — guests, that is.
A few local bands and musicians will participate as part of the national anthem and at halftime of the Commanders/Lions clash in Detroit.
Who Is Singing the National Anthem?
According to the Ford Field X account, Michigan native Caleb Caroll will sing the national anthem on Saturday.
“After setting the stage at the home opener, Caleb Carroll returns to kick off the @Lions playoff run with the national anthem. Join us in welcoming Caleb back to Ford Field for the Divisional Round!”
After setting the stage at the home opener, Caleb Carroll returns to kick off the @Lions playoff run with the national anthem. Join us in welcoming Caleb back to Ford Field for the Divisional Round! pic.twitter.com/GCaCbCk3oT
— Ford Field (@fordfield) January 16, 2025
According to his site, Carroll made his way onto the national stage in 2015 after being selected from a country-wide casting to perform “America the Beautiful” at the U.S. Open in New York City.
He has since performed at the America’s Thanksgiving Parade and has sung the national anthem for basketball superstar LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at both regular season and playoff games at the request of team owner Dan Gilbert, who originally heard him sing at a high school basketball game in Michigan. Simply put, Gilbert said: “This kid can sing.”
He has also performed at the Gleaners Hunger Free Summer annual event in Detroit, the City of Warren’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, the annual Detroit Red Wings & United Cerebral Palsy Alumni Charity Game, and the Detroit Goodfellows Annual Tribute Breakfast at Cobo Center.
Who Is Singing at Halftime?
It was also announced that Theo and the Gridiron Band will be performing at halftime.
“We’re excited to host a familiar face for halftime! This Saturday, Theo will be singing more than our fight song – he will be taking the stage alongside The Gridiron Band, blending their unique musical styles for a great performance.”
We’re excited to host a familiar face for halftime! 🦁 This Saturday, Theo will be singing more than our fight song – he will be taking the stage alongside The Gridiron Band, blending their unique musical styles for a great performance. pic.twitter.com/l6N0lmfEVf
— Ford Field (@fordfield) January 16, 2025
Theo Gridiron is a native of Detroit and sings the Lions’ fight song.
According to his official site, after singing in various cover and original projects plus singing in the church, he decided to try out for the 2004 WDIV Super Singer contest in Detroit. It would turn out to be a life-changing decision. His performance was so riveting that it caught the eye of a Detroit Lions exec who reached out to Theo and asked if he’d be interested in performing the team’s fight song at their home games.
This move became the birth of GRIDIRON!! Taken from the name of the song, Gridiron Heroes, he leads Lions fans and the rest of the NFL in singing this song whenever the Lions score a touchdown.
And the rest, as they say, is history.