Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks almost backed out of singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, Garth Brooks came close to refusing to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl, which ultimately resulted in a change in rules for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country musician who has been selected to perform the national anthem. Other notable artists like Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the opportunity to showcase their talents in the past. However, when Brooks unexpectedly decided to boycott the show, his actions led to a change in policy that has now become a permanent part of the organization.
Don Weiss, a former NFL Executive Director, revealed in his book "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event" that Garth Brooks had planned to premiere his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast on January 31, 1993. The song was written as a response to the L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and the burning of crosses and flags. However, the network considered the content of the video to be too controversial, leading to Brooks reportedly leaving the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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The network asked Brooks to pre-record his performance, but he refused. This caused the producers to panic and search for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while the producers argued with Brooks. In the end, Brooks prevailed, and for the first time in its history, the biggest sports event in America was delayed to show Brooks' video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a full mustache and beard, reminiscent of Cyrus. Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, provided sign language interpretation during Brooks' performance.
After Brooks's departure, the NFL has enforced a rule that mandates all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl to be pre-recorded. This information comes from Ricky Minor, who used to be the Music Director for the Super Bowl.
"He is stating that this is the correct way to approach it," he remarks. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. I would strongly discourage any artist from going live, as even the smallest technical issue could severely impact the performance."
15 country music artists who are ready to take the stage as the main performers for a Super Bowl halftime show. Credit for the gallery goes to
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