When it became clear that Reba McEntire would sing the national anthem before the Super Bowl, I was beyond excited, to say the least.
And let’s just say she didn’t disappoint us…
Her magical rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ had the audience cheering, and us viewers at home were also left with goosebumps. Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ defensive lineman, was visibly moved by the moment and tears began to flow.
It was truly a performance to remember by the three-time Grammy winner – and what we all needed to start the game off!
As we know, there’s no bigger stage than belting out the anthem before the opening kickoff at the Super Bowl, and considering Chris Stapleton’s fantastic rendition last year, the expectations were sky-high for the legendary Oklahoma native.
The applause was thunderous once Reba concluded, setting a splendid tone for the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Taste of Country, 2024 was the fourth year in a row that the NFL booked a country singer to perform the national anthem.
A month ago, the 68-year-old Reba revealed some intriguing details about her performance. In an interview with CBS Mornings, the country star said that she accepted the invitation to sing the national anthem for a specific reason.
”I got the news from my manager…he said they wanted me to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, well, let me think about that,’” McEntire recalled. ”And Rex Linn, my boyfriend, who is a huge football fan, he said, ‘Yes! She’ll do it! Absolutely!”
According to herself, she was well-prepared for the big moment – she had practiced diligently.
”I’ve been singing the national anthem in the shower [and] when we get in the car,” said McEntire.
Reba also expressed that she felt “honored beyond words” to sing at the Super Bowl for the first time, she told Apple Music host Nadeska Alexis.
”I get to sing a very special song for all Americans, people all around the world, who have really worked so hard for our freedom and to give us peace. It’s not about me — I’m the representation of this song, and I’m just honored to get to sing it. It’s a good one. I’ve been doing it for 50 years, and I’m really proud to get to sing it.”
Reba McEntire boyfriend
Reba McEntire started dating Hollywood actor Rex Linn in 2020, but the two had known each other since 1991 after meeting on the set of “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.”
After enduring a painful divorce from Narvel Blackstock and her mother’s cancer diagnosis, Rex Linn extended an open invitation to Reba to reach out whenever she needed someone to talk to. True to his word, the country star turned to him for a listening ear, comfort, and guidance.
Throughout the COVID19 pandemic, the two texted each other to get better acquainted and even had virtual coffee dates as Reba was based in Tennessee and Linn in California.
