NBC Sports made a bold, controversial decision by not airing the national anthem before the NFL playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams. Fans were furious. Social media erupted in criticism, calling the move “disgraceful.”
The game took place just one day before Donald Trump’s inauguration, adding extra heat to the controversy. This was not the first time this month that a network opted to skip the national anthem. Earlier, ESPN was slammed for doing the same before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, after a horrific terror attack killed 14 people.
NBC’s decision came amid ongoing devastation in Los Angeles, where wildfires had killed 27 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Many felt it was especially disrespectful not to honor the anthem, considering the city’s pain and suffering.
On social media, the backlash was immediate. “NBC and the @NFL are a disgrace for not airing the national anthem!” one user tweeted. Another fan directed their anger at NBC: “F^%# you for not showing the national anthem! Shame on you!!!” Others echoed similar sentiments, blasting the network for disregarding this important tradition.
Some fans found it particularly upsetting, given the national tragedy unfolding in Los Angeles. “I’m extremely disappointed that @NBCSports skipped the national anthem, especially with the wildfires in LA,” one person posted. “NBC clearly doesn’t know how to stay classy.“
NBC wasn’t alone in facing backlash. Mike Tirico, the play-by-play announcer, also took heat. One fan gave him a harsh grade: “Big fat ‘F’ for NBC and Tirico for skipping the anthem.”
Others went even further, blaming NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “F*** NBC, the NFL, and Roger Goodell,” one enraged fan wrote.
The anthem controversy: a growing debate
The national anthem has become a lightning rod for controversy in recent years. Before 2009, networks rarely aired it outside major events like the Super Bowl. In fact, NFL players weren’t required to be on the field for the anthem until a brief period after the 9/11 attacks.
However, everything changed in 2016, when NFL players began kneeling during the anthem to protest police brutality. This sparked heated debates. As a result, the NFL now requires players to “stand and show respect for the flag” if they are on the field during the anthem. Players can still choose to stay in the locker room if they prefer.
The college football anthem controversy
The anthem issue isn’t just limited to the NFL. At the college level, ESPN made headlines after failing to show the national anthem before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Burke Magnus, ESPN’s chief, admitted the mistake and blamed it on “human error.” But fans were far from forgiving. One user called ESPN “disgusting” for the omission, and former anchor Sage Steele accused the network of deliberately skipping the anthem during another college football game.
Magnus expressed regret, stating the network felt “terrible” about the oversight. “We should be held to account,” he said. “It was a human error, but nothing was normal about that day, including our programming.”
Fans demand change
Back to the NFL playoffs—fans have made it clear they don’t want this to become a trend. They want their anthem, their flag, and their country represented. When NBC skipped the anthem, they ignited a firestorm of anger. People are questioning whether networks have become too “woke,” as one critic put it. But one thing is clear: people care about this tradition.
Whether it’s the NFL, ESPN, or other networks, fans are watching closely. If this trend continues, it could lead to even more outrage.
NBC’s decision to skip the national anthem at the NFL playoff game sparked fierce reactions. Fans called it a disgrace, especially given the tragic events in Los Angeles. As national anthem debates rage on in both the NFL and college football, networks are facing increasing scrutiny. Will this trend continue, or will networks listen to the outcry and return to tradition? Only time will tell.
