When the opening notes of The Star-Spangled Banner rang out at M&T Bank Stadium on Thanksgiving night, it wasn’t just a pre-game ritual—it was a moment where Broadway met football in a way few expected. Renée Elise Goldsberry, the Tony Award-winning star of Hamilton, took the field before the Baltimore Ravens faced the Cincinnati Bengals on the NFL Thanksgiving Night gameM&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, where the temperature hovered near 35 degrees. Her voice, honed on Broadway and polished by years in television, didn’t just fill the stadium—it held it.
A Voice That Transcends the Stage
Goldsberry’s performance wasn’t her first time singing the anthem for the NFL. Back in 2022, during a Falcons game, she quietly altered one line—replacing “brotherhood” with “brotherhood and sisterhood.” The crowd erupted. Coach Dan Quinn, caught off guard, smiled. It wasn’t protest. It wasn’t politics. It was humanity. And it stuck. That moment, subtle but powerful, revealed something about Goldsberry: she doesn’t just sing. She connects. And on Thanksgiving night, she did it again.For those who know her from Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler, or from The Good Wife as the razor-sharp attorney Carol Lockhart, or even as the chaotic, glittering Dawn in Girls5eva, this wasn’t a stretch. It was an extension. Her voice carries the weight of centuries of Black musical tradition, the precision of classical training, and the rawness of lived experience. When she sang “o’er the ramparts we watched,” you didn’t just hear the note—you felt the history behind it.
The Game Behind the Anthem
The matchup itself was more than a divisional clash. It was the return of Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ franchise quarterback, after missing seven weeks with a wrist injury sustained in Week 2. His presence changed everything. The Bengals, clinging to playoff hopes, needed a win. The Ravens, fighting for seeding, needed to stop him. The stakes were high. But for the first 30 seconds of the game, none of that mattered. All eyes were on Goldsberry.She didn’t belt. She didn’t over-sing. She let the anthem breathe. The final line—“land of the free”—lingered just a second longer than expected. No one clapped. No one moved. The silence was intentional. And then, as the ball was snapped, the crowd roared—not just for the game, but for what had just happened.
Why This Matters Beyond the Field
The NFL has long used high-profile artists to elevate its holiday games. Mariah Carey. Alicia Keys. Jennifer Hudson. But Goldsberry’s inclusion is different. She’s not a pop star chasing exposure. She’s a theater legend who’s earned her place in the canon of American performance art. Her presence signals something: the NFL is no longer just a sports league. It’s a cultural stage.And in an era where national anthem performances are often politicized, Goldsberry’s quiet, powerful rendition—rooted in artistry, not agenda—felt like a reset. She didn’t need pyrotechnics. She didn’t need a drone show. She just needed her voice, her truth, and the courage to hold space.
What Comes Next?
Goldsberry’s performance has already sparked conversations across social media. Fans are asking: Will she return next year? Could she headline a future NFL halftime show? And more importantly—why haven’t more Broadway stars been invited before?The answer may lie in perception. The NFL still sees theater as “other.” But Goldsberry proved that the same discipline that builds a character on stage can elevate a national symbol on the field. If the league wants to honor the full breadth of American art, they’ll start inviting more artists like her—not because they’re famous, but because they’re authentic.
The Legacy of a Thanksgiving Note
By the time the final whistle blew—Bengals won 27–24, Burrow threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns—the anthem had already become the story. Not because it was flashy. But because it was real.For Goldsberry, this wasn’t a side gig. It was a statement. A reminder that art doesn’t belong in one box. That a woman who sings about revolution on Broadway can also, without fanfare, sing about freedom in a freezing stadium in Baltimore. And that sometimes, the most powerful moments aren’t the ones you plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Renée Elise Goldsberry change the lyrics in the past?
In a 2022 Atlanta Falcons game, Goldsberry added “and sisterhood” to the line “crown thy good with brotherhood.” It wasn’t a protest—it was an inclusive expansion rooted in her belief that patriotism should reflect all Americans. The crowd cheered, and even Coach Dan Quinn smiled. She’s never repeated the change, but the moment showed how a single word can carry meaning beyond the stage.
How did Joe Burrow’s return impact the game’s significance?
Burrow missed seven games due to a wrist injury from Week 2, and his return was critical for Cincinnati’s playoff hopes. He threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns in the 27–24 win, proving he was back at full strength. The game wasn’t just about division standings—it was a symbolic comeback story, making Goldsberry’s anthem feel like the emotional prelude to a larger triumph.
Was Goldsberry paid for her performance?
No financial details were disclosed, which is standard for NFL anthem performers. Most artists, especially those with Goldsberry’s stature, perform for charitable reasons or as a gesture of goodwill. The Ravens did not release any payment information, and industry norms suggest such appearances are often non-monetary, with proceeds sometimes going to local nonprofits.
What other roles is Renée Elise Goldsberry known for?
Beyond her Tony-winning turn as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, Goldsberry starred as Alicia Florrick’s rival Carol Lockhart in The Good Wife, played Dawn in the Peacock series Girls5eva, and appeared as a legal consultant in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Her voice has also been featured in animated films and Broadway cast recordings, cementing her as a multi-platform powerhouse.
Why was this performance considered culturally significant?
It bridged two worlds rarely seen together: elite theater and professional sports. Goldsberry brought the nuance, discipline, and emotional depth of Broadway to a stadium crowd—without compromise. Her performance reminded viewers that patriotism isn’t just about flags and fireworks. It’s about voice, presence, and the quiet courage to elevate a moment with truth.
Will we see more Broadway stars at NFL games?
Goldsberry’s performance has opened the door. With her success, producers and league officials may now see theater artists not as outliers, but as natural fits for high-stakes cultural moments. Names like Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Idina Menzel have already been floated by fans. Whether the NFL acts on it remains to be seen—but the precedent is now set.