Alex Bruno
In a move sure to spark debates that will last well into the next NFL season (and probably the next century), the NFL has officially banned the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly referred to as the Black national anthem. The announcement comes after several seasons of the league quietly incorporating the song into pre-game ceremonies alongside the “Star-Spangled Banner,” much to the bewilderment of certain fans who didn’t appreciate hearing a song they hadn’t memorized in fifth grade.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement early Monday morning, declaring that moving forward, only the “Star-Spangled Banner” will be performed at NFL games. The reason, as Goodell put it, is simple: “There’s only one national anthem.” You can almost hear the collective groan from half of America’s population, which now faces the grueling task of finding another non-issue to argue about on Twitter.
The decision to ban the Black national anthem is being touted by the league as a return to unity. “We want to emphasize that football is about bringing people together under one flag,” Goodell explained, wearing his usual forced smile that screams “I hope this puts out at least one fire.”
But if history has taught us anything, it’s that the NFL has a knack for turning even the simplest decisions into full-blown controversies, and this latest move is no exception.
The introduction of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of NFL pre-game ceremonies began in 2020, during a time when the league was desperately trying to respond to a cultural shift in the United States. After years of ignoring players like Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, the NFL appeared to have an epiphany: maybe we should, you know, acknowledge that racism exists.
And so, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” became a staple of NFL games, much to the delight of some and the dismay of others who weren’t quite ready to deal with uncomfortable conversations while tailgating. For many, the song—often referred to as the Black national anthem—was a powerful statement of inclusion and acknowledgment of the historical struggles of Black Americans.
But not everyone was on board. To some fans, the anthem felt like an unnecessary distraction from what football was truly about: concussions, overpriced beer, and yelling at referees. “I come to watch football, not to be lectured,” said Todd Johnson, a season ticket holder who has apparently confused a peaceful song with a full college seminar on systemic racism.
“I don’t understand why we need two national anthems,” Johnson continued while adjusting his American flag bandana. “One anthem has been good enough for over 200 years, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Clearly, the NFL heard Johnson’s cry—or at least that of millions like him—and decided it was time to go back to basics.
Predictably, the decision to ban the Black national anthem has divided NFL fans more than a controversial holding call in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. Social media has erupted into yet another battle of hashtags, with #OneAnthemToRuleThemAll trending alongside #BringBackTheBlackAnthem and the always popular #BoycottNFL (which, let’s be real, never seems to last more than a week).
Many fans have expressed their disappointment with the NFL’s choice to remove the song. “It’s like the NFL doesn’t even care about the progress they were making,” tweeted @SocialJusticeQB, a self-described activist and quarterback coach. “This was an important step toward inclusion, and now they’re just sweeping it under the rug. But sure, let’s pretend racism is over because Goodell said so.”
Others, however, have greeted the news with open arms—and a frosty beer. “Finally, we can get back to football without all this political stuff,” wrote @FlagWaver69, whose bio includes the phrase “Defender of Real America” and several American flag emojis. “I don’t need two anthems. Just give me the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ and a solid game.”
Even within the NFL community, reactions have been mixed. Some players, particularly those who have been vocal about racial justice issues, are reportedly disappointed by the league’s decision. “It feels like a step backward,” said one anonymous player. “We’re still dealing with racism and inequality, but now the NFL wants to pretend it’s all good because they’re tired of hearing about it.”
Others have remained silent, possibly fearing that speaking out might lead to more controversy—or worse, a demotion to special teams.
Critics of the NFL’s ban on the Black national anthem have been quick to point out the league’s inconsistent track record when it comes to addressing social issues. After all, this is the same NFL that allowed players like Kaepernick to be effectively blackballed for peacefully protesting during the anthem, only to reverse course and start promoting social justice messaging once it became clear that ignoring the issue wasn’t good for business.
“The NFL doesn’t care about unity,” argued sports commentator and occasional cynic Jennifer Malone. “They care about keeping their advertisers happy and making sure fans aren’t too distracted by politics to buy a $12 hot dog. This is just the latest example of the NFL trying to have its cake and eat it too.”
Indeed, some analysts believe the league’s decision is less about patriotism and more about appeasing the portion of its fan base that has been vocal in its opposition to the Black national anthem. With viewership and ticket sales always a priority, the NFL may have decided that keeping things simple—and familiar—was the easiest way to avoid alienating certain fans.
While the NFL might be hoping this decision puts an end to the anthem debate once and for all, the reality is likely to be far messier. The league has spent years trying to straddle the line between politics and sports, and if history is any indication, this latest move is unlikely to be the final word on the matter.
For now, though, fans can expect to hear only the “Star-Spangled Banner” at NFL games—a return to tradition that some will cheer and others will boo (likely while wearing their favorite player’s jersey).
One thing is for sure: whether you’re kneeling, standing, or sitting with nachos in hand, the NFL’s anthem decision has proven once again that, in the world of football, the only thing more controversial than a missed pass interference call is the pre-game ceremony.
Because if there’s anything America loves more than football, it’s arguing about it.
