Reba McEntire delivered a powerful rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before the Super Bowl game between the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
Wearing a bedazzled pair of black jeans and a metallic beige blazer accessorized with a big-buckled belt, the 68-year-old country superstar stole the attention of players, coaches, Super Bowl attendees and military service members around the world who watched from the comfort of their home.
Reba nailed the performance with both talent and emotion and brought many to tears. The cameras caught Chiefs All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones getting lost in the lyrics and visibly crying.
Tears run as Reba McEntire sings the US National Anthem 🇺🇸😢 pic.twitter.com/TvJlKSM7bU
— Sky Sports NFL (@SkySportsNFL) February 11, 2024
As the National Anthem came to an end, a U.S. Navy flyover also soared over Allegiant Stadium.
“So much emotions going around tonight,” a fan wrote of Reba’s performance on X.
“This was pretty awesome,” wrote another. “Kudos to #KansasCityChiefs DT Chris Jones for his raw emotion during the National Anthem.”
As well as Reba, pre-game entertainment came from Post Malone and Andra Day.
Although this was the first time Reba performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, she has performed ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ plenty of time throughout her career. What’s most, she was discovered while singing the anthem some 50 years ago at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma, and that was the start of an incredibly rich career spanning decades.
This ain’t my first rodeo! I’d never have imagined when I sang the anthem at the National Finals Rodeo 50 years ago that I’d be singing it today at the Super Bowl. I’m so honored to be part of this and hope you’ll tune in on @CBS at 3PM PT! 🇺🇸 #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/gFR7kKTTZT
— Reba McEntire (@reba) February 11, 2024
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that anniversary,” the country star said in a statement at the time of her performance announcement.
“I’m honored to be part of something as big and historic as the Super Bowl coming to Las Vegas for the first time. 2024 marks 50 years since I was discovered singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo. And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that anniversary,” she shared on X.
