Reba McEntire Performs Riveting National Anthem at Super Bowl

After being discovered singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo, 50 years later, Reba gives fans goosebumps with her moving rendition of the song that started her career.

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reba McEntire’s performance of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl was not just a showcase of her incredible vocal talent that has earned her the nickname the “Queen of Country,” it was a personal homage that resonated with emotion, wrapped in a sparkling package.

Over five decades ago, Reba, a then-college student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, was hired to perform the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Oklahoma City. This wasn’t just any performance; it was a pivotal moment that set the stage for her ascent to stardom. In the audience was Red Steagall, a well-connected man in the Nashville music scene. He was so impressed that he offered to help Reba make a demo tape—the demo that eventually got her a record deal with Mercury Records. Since then, it’s all history.

As the cameras focused on Reba today, adorning her was a sparkling blazer that caught the light with every note. The true brilliance of her appearance lay in the accessories she wore—her father, Clark McEntire’s, 1961 NFR world champion steer roping buckle and a bracelet that was a gift to her mother before her father’s passing. This accessory was not simply a fashion statement but a homage to her roots and the American spirit she was there to celebrate.

The rendition of the National Anthem was, expectedly, nothing short of spectacular. McEntire’s rich and emotive voice carried a profound respect for the song’s history and significance. Each note was delivered with undeniable precision and grace. The unspoken story, the silent tribute to her roots and lineage, elevated her performance into the realm of unforgettable.