Flashback: Gladys Knight's Nat'l Anthem Was Incredible. But When the Camera Cut Away for 3 Seconds, That Stole the Show
Editor’s Note: This was a popular story with our readers when it originally ran; we’re re-posting it here in case you missed it.
You don’t get to be known as the “Empress of Soul” without delivering the goods the way Gladys Knight did at the Super Bowl in Atlanta on Sunday.
In a game that was very charitably described as a “defensive battle” between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams (when it was charitably described at all), the musical performances were actually the high points of the night.
This may have been a surprise in the case of halftime headliners Maroon 5, but when it came to Knight’s rendition of the national anthem, it was only a shock if you’d forgotten how amazing the “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer really was.
However, stealing the show was a group of heroes who were just on screen for three seconds during “The Star-Spangled Banner” — and who reminded us not what so proudly we hail so much as why we hail it.
The footage was of the men and women of the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Humphreys in South Korea, including soldiers from both the United States and the Republic of Korea.
It was a short clip, just long enough to show the soldiers standing at attention.
About 100 soldiers stationed with the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, enjoyed a few seconds in the Super Bowl spotlight when they were featured in a live shot during the national anthem.https://t.co/jsB8XJLKVz
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) February 4, 2019
However, a cheer went up from the crowd as the image of the soldiers flashed on the screen.
“It was an absolute honor to represent the country,” Maj. Jason Harrington, a Patriots fan hailing from Abington, Massachusetts, told Stars and Stripes.
“That three to five seconds that we had on national TV is special because it really highlights the efforts, the sacrifice … all those key buzzwords. It goes a long way.”
“It felt rewarding. It made me feel better about being away from my family,” 22-year-old Pvt. Searcy Storey, who was spending his first Super Bowl away from Fort Worth, Texas.
Given the time difference, the men and women watching at Camp Humphreys were actually watching on Super Bowl Monday, gathering in the pre-dawn hours.
“Many said they were motivated by the chance to be on TV as well as an offer of a day off in exchange for showing up,” Stars and Stripes noted.
Maj. Gen. Scott McKean, the division commander, also played a part in the pre-game coverage, appearing to ask CBS commentator Nate Burleson about the San Francisco 49ers’ chances next year.
“Nate, before you answer that, remember we got lots of tanks and helicopters over here so I just want to make sure you take that into your consideration,” he joked, to which Burleson responded, “Well, they’re going to win the Super Bowl since you put it like that.”
While similar coverage has obviously been given to the military during the big game, it’s the first time that the 2nd Infantry had been given the honors.
On social media before the game, the 2nd Infantry got some shoutouts for the honor:
US ARMY’S 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION IN SOUTH KOREA WILL BE FEATURED DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM ??️FOR SUPERBOWL! #SuperBowl2019 #SuperBowlSunday #ArmyStrong pic.twitter.com/I3Hj7mOUjC
— A Soldier’s Whisper (@SoldiersWhisper) February 3, 2019
“For the first time ever, this Sunday’s Super Bowl will feature a live shot of over 100 Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea during the national anthem.” Very cool. https://t.co/Mi6PxQwI3O
— Ned Forney (@NedForney) February 3, 2019
Shout out to the soldiers at Camp Humphreys in South Korea that were shown on the screen during the National Anthem (including my BF) ? #ThankYou #SuperBowl2019
— Amy Ortega (@amytenta) February 3, 2019
And then there were some soldiers tweeting from Camp Humphreys, as well:
#SB53AFN #Afnlive Watching all the way from Camp Humphreys, South Korea! Go patriots!
— KingQuotes (@K1ngQuotes) February 4, 2019
LET’S GO RAMS!!! From the movie theater in Camp Humphreys, Korea!!! #SB53AFN
— Tyler Camp (@TylerCamp2) February 4, 2019
#SB53AFN Watching Super Bowl 53 here in the Land of The Morning Calm, Camp Humphreys! #GoPats!
— Gabriel Camacho (@GabefromGuam) February 4, 2019
Overall, unless you were a fan one of the teams playing on Sunday, there probably wasn’t a lot to cheer for. (And, let’s face it — even though it was close until the end, you probably weren’t doing much cheering either if you were a Rams fan.)
Our men and women in uniform standing at attention in honor of the national anthem was certainly one of the things that everyone could cheer for. Gladys Knight was, too. Putting the two together was that much better.
It was another reminder that our troops are the reason we can sing the national anthem or have the Super Bowl — and the service and protection they provide didn’t go unnoticed inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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