The National Football League (NFL) has made a significant announcement that will undoubtedly stir conversations and emotions across the country: there will be no Black National Anthem played at Super Bowl LIX. This move, which marks a departure from recent years’ practices, signals the NFL’s intention to shift into a “new non-woke era.” The decision has already sparked debate, with some applauding the league’s move toward what they perceive as a more inclusive, unified approach, while others view it as an erosion of the strides made toward racial equality in recent years.

The Black National Anthem, known as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” was first introduced at Super Bowl LV in 2021 as part of the league’s response to the social justice movements that gained momentum following the death of George Floyd in 2020. The inclusion of the anthem was seen as a way to honor Black culture and history, and to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. At that time, the NFL was under significant pressure to demonstrate its commitment to racial equality, and the anthem was one of the many gestures made to affirm that commitment.

However, the NFL’s decision to exclude “Lift Every Voice and Sing” from the Super Bowl LIX festivities marks a stark contrast to that sentiment. This decision, according to league officials, is part of an effort to shift away from what they call a “woke” agenda. In a statement, the NFL emphasized its desire to focus on unity and to foster a celebration of the country as a whole, rather than singling out specific groups or movements. The league insists that this move is not an attempt to erase the importance of Black culture, but rather a step toward creating a more inclusive atmosphere where all Americans can feel equally represented.

This decision has been framed as part of a broader cultural shift, with the NFL acknowledging that the growing trend of “wokeness” in American institutions is no longer a direction it wishes to pursue. The NFL’s leadership seems to believe that this change will help to restore a sense of unity that they feel has been lost in recent years. Supporters of the NFL’s decision argue that it’s time to move away from gestures that focus on division and instead work toward a future where all Americans can come together and celebrate the game without the influence of political or social agendas.