Black National Anthem Performance Sparks Debate Ahead of NFL Draft

Drama hit Green Bay before the first pick was even called at the NFL Draft on Thursday night. As fans poured in, the James Weldon Johnson Foundation’s National Hymn Choir took the stage to perform the Black national anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The crowd—already buzzing for football—paused to take it in, while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Packers legends, and Lil’ Wayne waited in the wings. Yes, you read that right—Lil’ Wayne was there too, making this draft night a true mix of sports, music, and history.

Social media lit up with reactions, with confusion and debate swirling over the anthem’s presence. "Lift Every Voice and Sing" has become a regular feature at major NFL events since 2020, a move that followed heightened conversations about racial justice across the country. The song has since echoed through Super Bowls and other big league moments, and Thursday was no exception.

Grammy-winner Ledisi most recently performed the anthem at Super Bowl LIX between the Eagles and Chiefs, continuing a tradition that actually dates back over a century—thanks to the NAACP, which first promoted the song as the Black national anthem in 1917. Talk about a long-standing legacy!

Once the music faded, the main event kicked off: Cam Ward, after a standout season with the Miami Hurricanes, was snapped up as the No. 1 pick by the Tennessee Titans. The Jacksonville Jaguars swung a trade with the Browns to snag Travis Hunter, while the Giants added Abdul Carter and the Patriots picked Will Campbell. Rounding out the top five, the Browns went with Mason Graham.

Between historic hymns and headline-grabbing picks, this NFL Draft definitely gave fans plenty to talk about—on and off the field.