Share

Gladys Knight to sing US anthem at Super Bowl

New York - Motown legend Gladys Knight will sing the US national anthem prior to next month's Super Bowl in her hometown Atlanta, the National Football League (NFL) announced on Thursday. 

The performance by the Grammy winner - famous for soulful hits including "Midnight Train to Georgia" - comes as controversy brews over the high-profile halftime show performance, and the league's treatment of players who protest on the sidelines during the anthem.

The league has confirmed that US pop-rock band Maroon 5 will play the coveted gig - with guest appearances by rappers Big Boi - half of the acclaimed rap duo Outkast - and Travis Scott. 

The Super Bowl is frequently the most-watched television broadcast of the year, with an audience of more than 100 million Americans.

But a slew of stars including Cardi B, Jay-Z and Rihanna reportedly rejected offers to play the show in solidarity with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has not played in the league since 2016.

Kaepernick spearheaded kneeling protests during pre-game performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to draw attention to racial and social injustice along with police brutality.

The NFL's booking of Knight appeared an effort to placate fans uneasy that a mostly white California pop band was headlining the Super Bowl spectacle in Atlanta, the southern capital of hip-hop.

"I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country," the 74-year-old Knight said in a statement.

In a clip promoting her appearance, she notes progress by recalling that she played segregated shows in the past, saying, "I hope that this anthem will touch people in a different way."

"We've been singing it forever," she said. "But this time I would hope that they would feel it so deeply that it would lift them to a higher place. That's what I feel when I sing the song."

But many are still calling for artists to boycott the event.

Chicago hip hop artist and activist Common said Scott "is doing what he's gotta do," but added, "I wish he wouldn't, to be honest."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE