Super Bowl LVIII is officially underway, and Reba McEntire helped kick things off on Sunday (Feb. 11) with a heartfelt performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the San Francisco 49ers took on the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL championship.
With a massive American flag stretched out before her on the field at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, the 68-year-old country icon belted out the patriotic lyrics as the players, coaches, Super Bowl attendees and military service members around the world watched the performer, many with tears in their eyes, including the Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones. McEntire delivered her emotion-filled performance dressed as a true country star, rocking a gold blazer and flared pants, accessorized with a big-buckled belt.
As previously noted by her spokesperson, the Super Bowl performance by the Country Music Hall of Fame superstar is particularly nostalgic, as it marks 50 years since she was discovered while singing the national anthem at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that anniversary,” McEntire said in a statement at the time of her performance announcement.
McEntire joined Post Malone and Andra Day during the Super Bowl pregame show, during which Post performed a stripped-back, acoustic version of “America the Beautiful” and Day delivered a moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Stay tuned in to Billboard.com throughout Super Bowl LVIII for coverage on music moments, the best commercials, Usher’s halftime performance, Taylor Swift updates and so much more.
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