Throughout the NFL's regular season, broadcast networks have tested out different approaches to playing the national anthem before games. Sometimes, there will be a shortened version, and others, it will be skipped entirely.
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However, both approaches have begun to draw ire from football fans around the country. And while the national anthem doesn't need to be a staple of the pre-game coverage at every event, it's clear that some form of acknowledgment is expected.
That's why, as we approach the Divisional Round playoffs, where there will be four high-stakes games on offer, fans are hoping the NFL ensures the national anthem is played in its entirety before kickoff.
"Show the national anthem in FULL this weekend!" one fan wrote on social media.
For those wondering, the slate of games for this Divisional Round looks like this:
Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans
Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams
The playoff games will be airing on CBS, NBC, ESPN, and FOX.
It makes sense to ensure the national anthem is played ahead of what will be some highly-charged games, especially due to the viewership numbers these matches are expected to pull. It doesn't make sense to risk alienating millions of fans for the sake of a few additional minutes of broadcast time.
NFL Executive Vice President Isn't Fond of America's Current Global Reputation
The NFL is rapidly growing in popularity on the international stage. There's a huge following in Europe, and a budding set of eyes in multiple other countries around the world. And with those extra eyes, NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent is aware that perceptions of America are far from rosy.
" We're also putting our brand, it's the American public, on how the world truly perceives us coming out of our current conditions," Vincent said during a summit held at The Stimson Center. "I mean every place that I go now, you know, you go, man, we got this reputation. I'm not a bully...But we got this global reputation that just makes you - and I did it - stay in your hotel room. 'Cause you're embarrassed. You don't know what this is to people."
Vincent continued.
"Because that's my country. And this is how we're acting, and we're better than that. I know the people that's in this room, we're better than that. So it's, I think about that LA piece and go, man, how are we going to show up? We got one chance. 'Cause it may not ever come back."
The beauty of sports is that you can leave real-world problems at the door. There's no need for politics, money worries, or work stress when you're sitting down and watching the game, either with family and friends or in your own company.
Still, it's clear that Vincent has given America's reputation some thought, and that's most likely due to the impact it could have on how quickly the NFL continues to grow in international markets.
