Chris Stapleton.Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty
Chris Stapletonhelped kick off the 2023Super Bowl LVIIwith the help of actorTroy Kotsur.
The “Tennessee Whiskey” singer, 44, sang a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” live from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s one of those calls you think you’re not gonna get,” Stapleton said at a press conference on Thursday. “And then you get the call and you’re like, OK, let’s do this.”
Chris Stapleton.Dave Shopland/Shutterstock
Troy Kotsur, the Oscar-winning actor who starred in 2021’s feature filmCODA, performed American sign language alongside Stapleton.
Kotsur’s performance sparked praise online, with Dan Katz ofBarstool Sportswriting onTwitter, “My guy is LOCKED in. Love this energy. Need this energy.”
Troy Kotsur.Rob Carr/Getty
Stapleton’s performance marks the third year in a row that a country singer has sung the national anthem; last year,Mickey Guytondid the honors, and before that,Eric Church joined Jazmine Sullivanfor Super Bowl LV. In 2017,Luke Bryanhandled the song.
Rihanna, meanwhile, will take the stage for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.
“She is ready for the Super Bowl,” asource recently told PEOPLEof the star’s prep work. “She is rehearsing right now. She’s very excited, ready, and focused.”
“She can’t wait to kill it,” the source added.
Stapleton is fresh off a performance at the 2023Grammy Awards, where he joined Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson for the Temptations' “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” Robinson’s “The Tears of a Clown” and Wonder’s “Higher Ground.”
source: people.com
