Every National Anthem Performance in Sports History, Ranked

Luther Vandross brought pure elegance to Super Bowl XXXI, delivering an anthem that felt smooth, reverent, and emotionally grounded. His phrasing was deliberate, his tone warm, and his restraint impressive, proving you didn’t need vocal gymnastics to command a stadium.

Viewers responded with admiration and relief. Critics praised the control and class, often calling it “textbook perfect.” The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 35–21, but Luther’s performance is still cited as one of the most tasteful anthems ever.