Singer Jon Batiste took the stage on the 2025 Super Bowl, and kicked off the sport with a surprising rendition of the Nationwide Anthem — however the timing of his efficiency has precipitated chaos with sports activities betters. His efficiency apparently clocked in just below two minutes (Us Weekly has it at simply over two whereas Bleacher Report has one minute and 59 seconds) however social media customers are up in arms over the official timing.
Batiste, 38, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9, earlier than the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs took on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Stephanie Nogueras joined him with the American Signal Language model of the track. The singer was sporting an all-black Paul Smith outfit, accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewels, whereas enjoying a colourful piano on the sector.
The size of the Nationwide Anthem has turn into a cultural phenomenon of types as some sports activities betting fans will place prop bets on the size of the tune. The quantity to beat is 120 seconds and Batiste’s official timing was at 119.5 seconds, which means the beneath gained. However that’s not what some followers are saying.
Batiste’s rendition of the Nationwide Anthem got here in longer than Reba McEntire, who sang for one minute and 35 seconds at Tremendous Bowl LVIII, which came about in February 2024.
Batiste’s involvement in Tremendous Bowl LIX was introduced in November 2024. Earlier than the Massive Sport, Batiste even shared that this efficiency was devoted to his late grandpa.
![Jon Batiste Sings the National Anthem During 2025 Super Bowl](https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/how-long-was-jon-batistes-2025-super-bowl-national-anthem-01.jpg?w=1000&quality=70&strip=all)
“I’m pondering so much about my private story and the story of this nation. The story of how we will honor the perfect of us,” he informed Entertainment Tonight on February 6. “My grandfather, in my life, he was one in every of my nice mentors. … He was the perfect of this nation.”
Batiste stated his grandfather’s “legacy” has allowed him to have a significant connection to this efficiency. (The singer introduced in April 2024 that his grandpa had died.)
“Individuals who served this nation, individuals who perceive what it means to have freedoms and to virtually lose them,” he continued. “I’m singing for us and all of our collective love and therapeutic that we’d like proper now.”
🇺🇸 Nationwide Anthem carried out by @JonBatiste pic.twitter.com/e9Dfued8iY
— FOX Sports activities: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 9, 2025
Batiste added, “That’s what I need all my performances to do, that’s what I need all my music to do. To only actually make all people’s life higher.”
When selecting performers for Tremendous Bowl LIX, the NFL leaned into New Orleans natives — like Batiste. Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle had been tapped to sing “America the Lovely,” whereas Ledisi was introduced because the “Carry Each Voice and Sing” performer.
“Hear, we have now had a historical past of the Tremendous Bowl right here however this one is, they’re actually bringing the tradition with the pregame performances,” Batiste additionally informed ET. “These are individuals who signify the perfect of us and I’m simply greatful to have the ability to share, not solely the honoring of our nation on this time the place we’d like extra unity, but additionally to share the perfect of New Orleans, which I imagine represents the beliefs of this nation at its highest because the Melting Pot.”