The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders’ division rivalry went beyond the gridiron on Sunday as they played for a spot in Super Bowl LIX, with both fan bases agreeing on one thing: the stunning national anthem performance before the game. Mary Kate Morrissey, who plays Elphaba in Broadway’s “Wicked,” led the rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, accompanied by a flyover of fighter jets and an actual eagle flying around the stadium.
Fans took to social media to praise the patriotic display, with many disagreeing with their allegiance to an NFL team to hail the performance. “I’m not an Eagles fan but their national anthem is the absolute best with the bald eagle flying in the stadium,” one user wrote. “It can’t get any better.” Another added, “Not an Eagles fan but DAMN…that Bald Eagle flying during the singing of the National Anthem brought tears of pride to my eyes.”
The scene was made even more impressive by an American flag the size of the football field displayed by fans, creating a perfect wide shot before the game. As Morrissey reached the climax of the song, a live eagle flew around the stadium from trainer to trainer, earning the most attention on social media.
The performance was capped off by a flyover of four F-16s from the 177th Fighter Wing, adding to the thrill of the moment. The Eagles’ fans were ecstatic, with star running back Saquon Barkley scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, including one on the team’s first offensive snap, to take an early lead. While many teams put on impressive national anthem performances, fans believe the Eagles’ display stands out as the best.