Fans have praised country singer Chris Stapleton’s “breathtaking” rendition of the US national anthem at the Super Bowl 2023.

Stapleton opened the biggest night in American football, currently underway at the 63,000-capacity State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

He was accompanied by CODA actor Troy Kotsur, who performed the national anthem in sign language at the Super Bowl tonight.

Stapleton’s version of “The Star Spangled Banner” on Sunday (12 February) drew comparisons to Whitney Houston’s impeccable pre-game performance in 1991.

One fan tweeted: “Chris Stapleton might’ve just sang my favorite Super Bowl rendition of the National Anthem (Whitney Houston aside).”

“Grown-a** men crying to Chris Stapleton singing the national anthem,” another said. “Wow, this one is right up there with Whitney Houston’s performance. Just amazing.

In honour of the country’s national anthem, the NFL routinely enlists superstar musicians and performers to deliver the patriotic moment at the annual sporting event.

Super Bowl National Anthem-
1) Whitney
1b) Chris Stapleton
3) no one else close.

— Arron Oberholser (@ArronOberholser) February 12, 2023

Singers such as Cher, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Marvin Gaye have previously opened the show with their versions of the national anthem.

Reacting to Stapleton’s moving performance on Sunday night, another fan said: “Chris Stapleton needs to sing the National Anthem every year at the #SuperBowl. WOW!”

One person said they were “still mopping up the tears” after the “Starting Over” singer brought the house down with his rousing delivery of the national anthem.

Other performances tonight include Abbott Elementary star Shery Lee Ralph singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” or the Black national anthem.

R&B star Babyface performed “America the Beautiful” and Rihanna will take centre stage as the headline act during this year’s hotly anticipated halftime show.

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