Did NFL skip National Anthem at Chiefs-Ravens game? Outrage as Tasha Leonard performs 'Lift Every Voice'

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: The NFL kicked off the 2024-2025 season with a high-energy game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, September 4, rekindling last season’s AFC Championship rivalry. 

The national anthem, a season opener staple, took center stage with performances by Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Coco Jones. 

Leonard's 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' performance ignited a heated debate online, with social media users criticizing the NFL for playing the "Black national anthem" before the season opener.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard performs Black national anthem at Chiefs-Ravens game

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard performed 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' alongside CoCo Jones, the daughter of former NFL player Mike Jones, who sang the national anthem 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

Following the performance, Leonard, who first sang the Black national anthem in 2020 amid racial unrest following George Floyd’s murder, faced a wave of online criticism, according to Sporting News. 

The song has been featured before the Super Bowl each year since, and reactions to it have been intense and polarized. As a result, many internet users have expressed outrage over the decision to play the Black national anthem instead of the traditional national anthem 'The Star-Spangled Banner' before the game.

Before her performance, Leonard urged her fans to watch her performance, celebrating "unity, culture, and the thrill of the game." She shared her enthusiasm on Instagram: "I’m beyond excited to kick off the NFL season with a powerful live performance of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ at the Chiefs vs. Ravens game in Kansas City! This will be a night to remember—football, music, and an electric atmosphere."

Internet reacts to Tasha Leonard's performance at NFL game

Following Tasha Leonard's performance during the 2024 season of the NFL, several internet users have expressed their anger online. 

One social media user wrote, "Play whatever song you want, just don't ask everyone to stand for it. That is reserved for the National Anthem."

Another added, "Everyone should take a knee to the Black Anthem.  Show no respect for the song like they show no respect for the American Flag. I'm a combat Veteran and there's only ONE National Anthem."

One person explained, "There's only one national anthem, this s**t needs to stop. This is a great way to continue division and keep black people at the bottom of the totem pole. Congratulations on continuing to go backwards." 

Another stated, "So stupid. Won’t watch."  Someone else wrote, "Anti American and divisive. Stop making up things to divide everyone. What a stain on our great history."

One user on X wrote, "As a huge fan of the Chiefs I will definitely NOT be watching my team play the Ravens! Take that stupid a** song n shove it up where is blacker then your skin."

Another remarked, “This is shameful! There is only 1 national anthem! STOP THIS DIVISIVENESS!” One more person tweeted, "We now have a “black” national anthem. Does that mean we are going to have anthems for whites, asians, hispanics? 🙄"  The last user shared, "I definitely will not watch  the NFL after this decision!"

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.