On Jan. 17, the NFL and Gladys Knight announced that the iconic GRAMMY winner will sing the National Anthem on Feb. 3 in her hometown of Atlanta before the Super Bowl LIII kickoff.
"I pray that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed," she said, "and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us."
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"I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words," Knight continued in an extensive statement, "the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life."
Her position regarding the controversy that discouraged many other artists from performing at this year's Super Bowl is that the Anthem represents a "higher place" we are trying to reach, symbolizing national unity.
Knight also observed how her 1973 GRAMMY-winning hit, "Midnight Train To Georgia," helped launch her career, and how the Super Bowl is on its way to that very state. It's a personal coming-home moment for Knight that should also stand for reaffirming the meaning of the Anthem itself.
Maroon 5 was previously confirmed to perform at the haltime show with special guests Big Boi and Travis Scott. Super Bowl LIII will be broadcast on CBS on Feb. 3.
Big Boi & Travis Scott Confirmed As Special Guests For Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show
