“Boycott The NFL” Trends Following The Performance Of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” During The Season Opener [Video]

On Thursday, the NFL 2024 season kicked off with a showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs.  While the game was highly anticipated, what really caught viewers’ attention was Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s performance of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Despite the performance being appreciated by many, others with more conservative views shared different feelings.  The concern stems from people believing that incorporating a second anthem was intended to disrupt fans.  According to these conservatives, the National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” should be the only symbol of American unity.

It’s important to note that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was also performed at the game, and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was just an addition and not a replacement.  However, these critics still argue that the “racially specific” anthem diminished national unity and can spark debates about race and identity.

In 2020, the NFL committed to challenging racial disparities within the country following the death of George Floyd.  As a part of this response, the league decided to include the Black National Anthem in its games, especially due to the majority of its players being African-American.  Since then, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been performed at Super Bowls and several other major games, including season openers.  As a result, “Boycott The NFL” has begun trending on social media, with many people sharing their opinions about the change. See what they had to say below:

@NFL #LiftEveryVoice is NOT our #NationalAnthem. One more reason I #BoycotttheNFL

— Greg G (@SaltLifeGreg62) September 7, 2024

There is no need for a Black National Anthem….

We have one National Anthem and it’s for everyone!

Shame on the @NFL.

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) September 6, 2024

This is fucking embarrassing.

Abraham Lincoln was shot in the head right before repatriating the freed slaves and now we have to hear this weak shit? All because blacks are too fragile to deal with reality?

this madness has to come to an end

boycott the NFL https://t.co/Otn9Bng5l9

— Toilet Paper Tiger (@Origamifan1) September 7, 2024

wait so the right wanna boycott the nfl over a black national anthem? i thought they were already boycotting the nfl since colin took a knee years ago? pick a struggle 😭

— bec 🪄🐇 (@chaproan) September 6, 2024

Me going to see why boycott the NFL is trending…. Oh just another day of wyts being racist on this app 😭 pic.twitter.com/0toHUU7tr1

— Sir Dykes A lot (@_HausofEma) September 6, 2024

The NFL dedicated time to Israel and even encouraged “taking a knee”.

But it’s the Black National Anthem that makes people want to Boycott the NFL.

Wild. It should be boycotted but for much better reasons than being a racist.

— Handala (@handha1a) September 6, 2024

BOYCOTT THE NFL For playing the Black National Anthem. There is only ONE National Anthem

The actual National Anthem is for ALL Americans

IT’S TIME TO BOYCOTT THE NFL INTO OBLIVION

WHO’S WITH ME ?

— Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) September 6, 2024

The moment Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem was the moment I pledged to NEVER watch another NFL game.

The boycott stands!

— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) September 5, 2024

Conservatives spamming “boycott the NFL” knowing they’re still gonna watch the league lmaoo pic.twitter.com/cQSro39mYg

— Marcus 🦍 (@CookedByMarcus) September 6, 2024

Folks want to boycott the NFL over the black national anthem when 70% of their favorite team consists of black players

— Your’s Truly🦂 (@YoursTrulyRVA) September 6, 2024