Singer Jon Batiste took the stage at the 2025 Super Bowl, and kicked off the game with a stunning rendition of the National Anthem — but the timing of his performance has caused chaos with sports betters. His performance apparently clocked in just under two minutes (Us Weekly has it at just over two while Bleacher Report has one minute and 59 seconds) but social media users are up in arms over the official timing.
Batiste, 38, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9, before the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Stephanie Nogueras joined him with the American Sign Language version of the song. The singer was wearing an all-black outfit, accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewels, while playing a colorful piano on the field.
The length of the National Anthem has become a cultural phenomenon of sorts as some sports betting enthusiasts will place prop bets on the length of the tune. The number to beat is 120 seconds and Batiste’s official timing was at 119.5 seconds, meaning the under won. But that’s not what some fans are saying.
Batiste’s rendition of the National Anthem came in longer than Reba McEntire, who sang for one minute and 35 seconds at Super Bowl LVIII, which took place in February 2024.
Related: The Most Memorable ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ Performances Over the Years
Getty Images (3) The United States national anthem is, within the singing community, considered one of the hardest songs to perform. Some celebrities have certifiably slayed their live renditions of the tune, while others missed the mark. In July 2024, country star Ingrid Andress went viral for her unique take on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which […]
Batiste’s involvement in Super Bowl LIX was announced in November 2024. Before the Big Game, Batiste even shared that this performance was dedicated to his late grandpa.
“I’m thinking a lot about my personal story and the story of this country. The story of how we can honor the best of us,” he told Entertainment Tonight on February 6. “My grandfather, in my life, he was one of my great mentors. … He was the best of this country.”
Batiste said his grandfather’s “legacy” has allowed him to have a meaningful connection to this performance. (The singer announced in April 2024 that his grandpa had died.)
“People who served this country, people who understand what it means to have freedoms and to almost lose them,” he continued. “I’m singing for us and all of our collective love and healing that we need right now.”
🇺🇸 National Anthem performed by @JonBatiste pic.twitter.com/e9Dfued8iY
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 9, 2025
Batiste added, “That’s what I want all my performances to do, that’s what I want all my music to do. To just really make everybody’s life better.”
When choosing performers for Super Bowl LIX, the NFL leaned into New Orleans natives — like Batiste. Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle were tapped to sing “America the Beautiful,” while Ledisi was announced as the “Lift Every Voice and Sing” performer.
Related: A Brief History of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing‘
More than a century after “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was adopted as the “Black national anthem,” Andra Day will perform it to christen Super Bowl LVIII. “Peace and Blessings!!! Performing the Anthem at the Super Bowl yall!” Day, 39, tweeted last month. Day, who won a Golden Globe for her performance as the titular […]
“Listen, we have had a history of the Super Bowl here but this one is, they’re really bringing the culture with the pregame performances,” Batiste also told ET. “These are people who represent the best of us and I’m just greatful to be able to share, not only the honoring of our country in this time where we need more unity, but also to share the best of New Orleans, which I believe represents the ideals of this country at its highest as the Melting Pot.”
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