Every National Anthem Performance in Sports History, Ranked

Standing alone with a guitar, Chris Stapleton delivered a raw, stripped-back anthem that leaned into soul and sorrow instead of spectacle. His raspy voice cracked in all the right places, making the song feel lived-in and human, like a blues confession stretched across a football field.

The reaction was overwhelming. Social media filled with goosebumps and tears, and cameras caught players openly emotional. The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35, but Stapleton’s anthem quickly became one of the most replayed moments of the night.