Super Bowl LX opened with more than just football drama at Levi’s Stadium. Before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots kicked off, singer Coco Jones delivered a powerful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song widely known as the Black national anthem. As fans entered the stadium in Santa Clara, her voice echoed across the field, setting a thoughtful mood before the championship game.People quickly started talking about the performance online. Many people praised Jones for her vocal control and stage presence, but there was still a lot of talk about the NFL’s choice to play the song during its pregame ceremony. The league began incorporating it in 2020 following nationwide protests against racial injustice after George Floyd’s death. Since then, its Super Bowl inclusion has remained a lightning rod for strong opinions.
Praise for Coco Jones, debate over nfl tradition
Jones, an actress and recording artist known for her work on “Bel-Air” and “The Voice,” approached the moment with composure. Her performance preceded a special appearance by Green Day honoring past Super Bowl MVPs. Brandi Carlile was slated to sing “America the Beautiful,” and Charlie Puth performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” rounding out a star-studded pregame lineup.Online reactions split along familiar lines. Some fans applauded the NFL’s continued recognition of the song’s historical significance. Others questioned its place alongside the national anthem. The NAACP first promoted “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as the Black national anthem in 1917, and its presence at league events reflects an effort to acknowledge that legacy.Even with all the noise on social media, Jones’ performance got great reviews for how clear and emotional it was. For a lot of people in the stadium, the music and the size of the event were still the main things on their minds.The pre-games ceremony demonstrated that the Super bowl is not just a game as the teams prepared to take the kick off. It is a cultural phase whereby music, history, and opinion of the people tend to unite.
