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NFL National Anthem policy 2021

By Mark Powell

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 20: Seattle Seahawks coaches and players stand or kneel during the national anthem before the game against the New England Patriots at CenturyLink Field on September 20, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 20: Seattle Seahawks coaches and players stand or kneel during the national anthem before the game against the New England Patriots at CenturyLink Field on September 20, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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“Lift Every Voice and Sing” made its NFL debut on Thursday Night Football for the season-opening game between the Buccaneers and Cowboys.

Before you ask, no, the NFL did not cancel the normal National Anthem before games.

However, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” did make its NFL debut on a national stage. Often referred to as the ‘Black National Anthem’, the NFL has offered to play the song before games this season. After a year of racial turmoil, it’s an effort to reach out to the Black community.

NFL National Anthem policy 2021

The National Anthem was still performed directly after “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, so both song will be sung at games this season.

While some viewers did not respond well to the new anthem policy, the NFL should be commended for reaching out to the Black community in a tough time.

The origin of the song is as follows, per Yahoo Sports.

"“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was written in 1900 by civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson as a poem that his brother set to music.A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Johnson said the song was written when someone in the community wanted to organize a celebration to commemorate the birth date of Abraham Lincoln.”"

The league will continue to perform the song all season, per reports.

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