Black national anthem at Super Bowl stirs debate on social media

For the third time in a row, the Black national anthem will be performed during the NFL's pre-Super Bowl events.

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The selection of the song sparked controversy on social media even though the league had "Lift Every Voice and Sing" on the schedule for weeks.

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At State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, comedy series "Abbott Elementary" star Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing the song.

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The national anthem will be sung by country music musician Chris Stapleton, and "America the Beautiful" will be performed by R&B singer Babyface.

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But the song that got NFL fans talking early Sunday was "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

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In April 2021, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was played prior to the Super Bowl LV and the drought.

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Prior to the Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl the previous year, Mary Mary sang it.

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Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers in the 2020 season,

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The NFL began to play the Black national anthem before games. The tragedy sparked a nationwide uprising against racial injustice.

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