The NFL season opener Thursday night gave football fans a familiar dose of what many call “wokeness,” but the reaction from fans in Philadelphia might signal a shift.
The so-called “black national anthem,” Lift Every Voice and Sing, was played before the Dallas Cowboys-Eagles matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.
However, technical issues with the microphones meant the crowd heard very little of the performance.
Singer Laurin Talese took the stage to perform, but the audio largely failed. Instead of a clear rendition, fans were left with a garbled mess and, reportedly, a series of boos from those in attendance.
The reaction quickly went viral on social media, as Trending Politics reported.
“Philly fans are booing the lady singing the black national anthem!?” one X user exclaimed, drawing attention to the apparent disdain. Others criticized the audio problems, blaming the broadcast rather than the crowd.
“The opening song would have been a lot better had the audio department turned off the crowd noise. It was awful, it sounded half of both so it sounded disrespectful honestly,” another fan wrote.
“NBC having some audio issues tonight. My guess is they had trouble with the singer’s mic feed during Lift Every Voice and Sing and just had to turn on the crowd mics so you could hear something. Sounded awful, but probably the best they could do given the situation,” another post explained.
Lift Every Voice and Sing first gained national attention in the summer of 2020, following the death of George Floyd.
The NFL began playing the song at games, including the season opener and the Super Bowl, with the stated goal of addressing racial divisions in America. Fans were also exposed to slogans such as “End Racism” and “It Takes All of Us” on end zones and in stadium displays. Some of these messages remain today.
Political commentators have noted that the nationalized reverence for the anthem and its associated messaging was a hallmark of the 2020-2022 period, when the country was deep in what some call the “woke era.”
Thursday night’s performance, however, indicates that the energy around these displays may have cooled. Fans in Philadelphia were largely indifferent, if not critical, and technical failures only underscored the lack of enthusiasm.
Social media users and commentators alike quickly pointed out that the NFL’s attempt to blend entertainment, politics, and social commentary is losing its punch. “Those days of forced reverence are gone,” one analyst said, observing that fans seem less willing to engage with politicized performances during sports events.
The Cowboys-Eagles game, which opened the 2025 NFL season, showcased not just the teams on the field but also the evolving relationship between professional sports and cultural messaging. The mixed reception to Lift Every Voice and Sing—both from fans and technical glitches—highlights the challenges leagues face in balancing tradition, entertainment, and activism.
As the season continues, it will be worth watching whether the NFL doubles down on politically charged performances or takes a step back, letting football itself be the star of the show.
For now, Thursday’s opener is being remembered less for the kickoff and more for the awkward, nearly inaudible rendition of the “black national anthem” and the fans who made their opinions clear.
