Chris Stapleton Was Moved By Football Coach’s Reaction To His Emotional National Anthem Performance

Feb 14, 2023

Chris Stapleton is a force to be reckoned with, not just in the country music industry but the music industry in general. The singer-songwriter was born on Apr. 15, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001, with the hopes of pursuing an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University. However, it was evident that that career was not what he was meant to do, and Stapleton switched directions, pursuing a career in music instead.

He found his footing in the industry by writing and publishing his music. Soon enough, he became a staple in the music industry, earning writing credits on songs for big stars like Kenny Chesney, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.

But his writing abilities are not the only reason why Stapleton has stayed such a big name – he also has a beautiful voice. As a vocalist, Stapleton has proven himself, and he made big waves when he released his debut solo album “Traveller” in 2015. The album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart and was also received well by music critics and award shows. He has continued to release more music, gaining even more traction as time has gone by.

With such a grand knowledge of music, it’s not surprising that Stapleton has found ways to be extremely successful. He is also a very impactful performer, as he has been known to make his fans emotional from time to time. This was no different in February 2023, when Stapleton put on a very moving rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Arizona for the Super Bowl – and there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the house.

Back in 2019, Stapleton wowed fans when he performed alongside P!nk. P!nk had taken her “Beautiful Trauma” tour to New York for two nights at the highly respected venue, Madison Square Garden. On the first night, she had a special surprise in store for her fans.

P!nk brought out the country singer, her friend Stapleton, for a duet on the song “Love Me Anyway.” The song is sung by the two of them on her album “Hurts 2B Human.” Billboard reported that it was the first time the song had been performed live.

The track features a slow piano that builds into an orchestral lift, and the two singers harmonize the sentimental lyrics seamlessly. The emotional singing during the live show showcased the two strong singers’ perfect voices that match perfectly for this power ballad.

P!nk also seemed overcome by emotion as Billboard reported that she pretended to collapse once the song was done and said, “What just happened?”

After the show, she posted a pic of the two of them on her social media page with a caption that read:

“One of my absolute favorite songwriters, favorite voice, and person. Chris Stapleton. What an absolute honor to share a stage with you, my friend.”

This wasn’t the only time Stapleton moved an audience with his brilliant vocals and stage presence.

Over the years, there have been several renditions of America’s national anthem. Some people choose to stay as authentic as possible when performing the song, keeping to a more relaxed yet emotional tone. Others choose to highlight the power behind their voice and take the song to a completely new level. And other entertainers choose to find somewhere balanced in the middle – making for a spectacular performance.

Many people say that the late Whitney Houston had the greatest Super Bowl, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performances in 1991, as her voice skyrocketed to new heights as she sang the song with ease. However, other singers and musicians have given their own versions as time has gone by, showing off their power in a different way.

In February 2023, Chris Stapleton made grown men cry when he carried out a very moving rendition of the national anthem at the Super Bowl. His rough yet soothing voice lent well to the song. From the first note, you could tell that he knew how to captivate the audience.

A video of the performance showed several people becoming emotional upon hearing Stapleton’s take. Jason Kelce and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles appeared to be moved by Stapleton’s voice, as well as Patrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, football coach Nick Sirianni could not stop crying as Stapleton’s words soared through the football stadium. Videos and photos of the man quickly went viral, proving how powerful music can truly be.

People sounded off in the comments, praising Stapleton for his heart-wrenching take. One person said, “Goosebumps. One of the better rendition we’ve had in many years.”

Another person compared Stapleton’s version to Houston’s and said, “One of the best renditions of OUR ANTHEM, right up there with Whitney’s ’91 masterpiece.”

Another person even said that the country singer’s version was the best one yet. “Best rendition cause he sang it with respect and soul. Sent a chill down my spine. That’s how it’s done,” the person commented.

While not everyone could decide whose version was the best, people from all over agreed that Stapleton delivered a very moving and powerful rendition of the national anthem.

In the days following the multiple performances put on at the Super Bowl, people couldn’t stop talking about them. Rihanna delivered an impactful performance while pregnant during the half-time show, while Sheryl Lee Ralph also received traction online for her stunning vocals.

Still, it was Stapleton’s soulful performance that people from all walks of life could not stop raving about, and they shared just how much they enjoyed his rendition of the national anthem. The video of Sirianni continued to make its way online to the point that even Stapleton himself became aware of how moved the Eagles’ coach was.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Stapleton talked about how much it meant to him to receive all of the kind-hearted reactions. “Man, it felt great. It really did,” he said. “The energy was good and the crowd was hyped up for the game, so that kind of gets you ready to go.”

That day was overwhelming for Sirianni, as he coached one of the teams in the Super Bowl. He shared:

“I’ve dreamed about this since I’ve been two years old. It’s just emotional because there’s a lot of work, not just by myself, but a lot of people. Starting with my wife and my kids, my brothers, my dad and just so many people... It’s just emotional in that moment knowing where we were.”

And while Stapleton was well aware of how memorable his version was, it doesn’t mean that the country singer wanted to relive the moment. It proved to be too emotional even for him.

“I don’t know if I can watch it, man,” he explained. “I try not to watch myself back too much.” 

What did you think about Chris Stapleton’s performance? What is your favorite song from him? Who do you think sang the national anthem the best? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends.