American football fans were left scratching their heads in disbelief following what is being widely panned as a disastrous performance of the US national anthem ahead of the historic NFL game in Brazil.
The Kansas City Chiefs' clash with the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo was meant to be a landmark moment for the league's global expansion. However, the occasion was marred before a single snap was played.
A Performance That Missed the Mark
A local artist's rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was met with a wave of criticism from viewers around the world. The performance, characterised by its unusual tempo and vocal stylings, was described by fans on social media as everything from "cringeworthy" to an outright "embarrassment" on the international stage.
Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their astonishment, with one fan quipping it was the "worst national anthem performance of all time." The backlash was swift and severe, overshadowing the build-up to the highly anticipated match.
Historic Game Overshadowed by Prelude
The game itself marked a significant milestone for the NFL, being its first regular-season fixture held in South America. The league is aggressively pursuing an international audience, with games in London, Munich, and now São Paulo.
Yet, the botched anthem became the primary talking point, demonstrating how a pre-game tradition, deeply sacred to many American sports fans, can become a focal point for controversy when its execution falls short of expectations.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the cultural challenges and unpredictable moments that can arise as major sports leagues attempt to export their meticulously crafted product to new corners of the globe.
