Photo credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
News broke that seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, Gladys Knight, will be singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl LIII. This news caught many by surpise, some even upset by the news. Since the announcement, Knight has received tons of backlash, but, she is defending her decision and standing strong on her why she made the decision.
According to TMZ, Knight stated, “I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII. It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.”
Knight addresses Colin Kaepernick in her statement as well. “I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice…I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life.”
It is the legendary singers hopes that, “this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us.”