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NFL Chooses Blast from the Past To Sing Super Bowl National Anthem

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Gladys Knight will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before this year’s Super Bowl.

The seven-time Grammy Award winner expressed her excitement for the opportunity to sing the anthem in her hometown of Atlanta.

“I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country in my hometown of Atlanta,” the 74-year-old singer said in a statement.

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The performance will be televised live before kickoff of the Feb. 3 game.

Knight and her backup singers, the Pips, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.



Her hits include “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”



Do you like the choice of Gladys Knight to sing the national anthem?

An NFL news release said Knight will join a long list of notable performers who have sung the Super Bowl national anthem, including Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Mariah Carey, Cher, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr., Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Idina Menzel, Aaron Neville, Pink, Jordin Sparks, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross and Vanessa Williams.

Many on social media were happy with the choice.

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Others criticized the move, saying Knight should use the opportunity to make a political statement or shouldn’t perform at all.

In her statement, the singing legend acknowledged the NFL’s social justice efforts in the wake of the national anthem protests started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016.

“The NFL recently announced their new social justice platform Inspire Change, and I am honored to be a part of its inaugural year,” she said.

Maroon 5 will be joined by Big Boi, Atlanta-based rapper from Outkast, and Travis Scott during the halftime performance.

CBS broadcasts this year’s Super Bowl from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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