American football fans have expressed widespread anger after learning that the performer of the US national anthem at a major NFL game was not American, but Canadian.
Anthem Performance Sparks Controversy
The incident occurred on Saturday at Levi's Stadium before the crucial clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Country singer and Army Reserve member Craig Morgan performed 'God Bless America' first. However, it was the subsequent rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' by Cassandra DiFruscio that ignited a firestorm on social media.
DiFruscio, who now lives in Nashville, is originally from Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada. Her performance itself received mixed reviews, but the primary source of outrage for many viewers was her nationality.
Fans Vent Fury on Social Media
Reaction on platform X (formerly Twitter) was swift and critical. One fan questioned the decision, writing: 'Maybe it's just me but it seems weird to have a Canadian sing our National Anthem.'
Another demanded: 'They couldn't find an American to sing our national anthem?' accompanied by confused emojis. The sentiment was echoed by others, with one user stating bluntly: 'Having a Canadian sing the anthem should get someone fired.'
The criticism took a more pointed turn from another viewer, who posted: 'So Craig Morgan just opened up for some unknown Canadian 'vocalist' that butchered our National anthem. More woke garbage from the fading NFL.'
Experienced Performer Despite Backlash
Despite the controversy, DiFruscio is no novice to the role. Her personal website states she has performed the American anthem at over 100 major sporting events. This impressive resume includes games across the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, NBA, and WNBA. She has even performed at NBA playoff games.
Saturday's game itself had significant stakes, with Seattle's 13-3 victory in Santa Clara securing them the No. 1 seed in the NFC. This result guarantees the Seahawks a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the upcoming playoffs.
The episode highlights the deep emotional and patriotic significance attached to the pre-game national anthem ritual in American sports, making the choice of performer a potentially contentious issue for a segment of the fanbase.
