Chris Stapleton Is ‘Retired’ From Singing The National Anthem
Chris Stapleton says he’s finished singing the National Anthem after his memorable 2023 Super Bowl rendition. That performance still has people talking years after he did it.
Chris told Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his Dirty Mo Media podcast, “I would have people ask me to sing the National Anthem for various things. I jokingly always said, ‘No, I’ll just do it when it’s time to do it at the Super Bowl.'”
He added, “I’d just turn it down a lot. And I do say now that I have officially retired from it as well.”
Stapleton even noted that while he doesn’t normally get nervous before performing, it was different before his Super Bowl performance. He said, “‘That one, I was like, ‘I was gonna make sure I’m as prepared as I can be.'”
His heartfelt performance really touched NFL players and personnel. Cameras caught Eagles coach Nick Sirianni wiping away tears. Both Patrick Mahomes and Jason Kelce got emotional during the song.
Chris gave credit where it was due, saying, “I’m not saying my version wasn’t good, I think it was good, but all the TV editing that they did while I was doing it was just spot-on.”
With his guitar and simple black outfit, Stapleton left his mark. By walking away now, his Super Bowl performance stays unique.
The country superstar concluded, “Did I realize that I was doing something good in the moment? I don’t know. I realized I was not messing up. Like, not mess up the words, not flub a guitar lick. That was my goal, was to get through it to a degree that [I could say], ‘Alright, I executed the National Anthem without insulting the National Anthem.'”
RELATED: Chris Stapleton Extends His ‘All American Road Show’
Stapleton and his wife Morgane recently made a significant contribution of $1 million to support wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles following the devastating fires that occurred last month (January).
They posted the news on their charity, The Outlaw State of Kind, on Instagram, writing, “The Outlaw State of Kind has donated $1 million to support national and local organizations providing wildfire relief in Los Angeles. Join us in supporting however you can.”
The Outlaw State of Kind fund has a history of supporting various causes, including local fire departments, food banks, animal aid organizations, and charities within the music community.