Fans slam 'disgraceful' NBC for failing to show the national anthem ahead of Rams-Eagles playoff game
NBC Sports boldly opted against airing the national anthem before Sunday's NFL playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and visiting Los Angeles Rams.
The latest controversy falls just a day before Donald Trump's inauguration and marks another surprise decision over showing The Star-Spangled Banner this month.
Earlier in January, ESPN was slammed for not showing the anthem before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, which had been moved by a day after the New Year's Day terror attacks in the city killed 14 people.
Furthermore, the Rams are playing Sunday's game amid scenes of devastation back in Los Angeles due to the wildfires around the city that have killed 27 and destroyed thousands of buildings and homes.
Various networks have taken different approaches to showing The Star-Spangled Banner before kickoffs, but NBC appeared to have angered many fans by refusing to do so on Sunday.
'Y'all and the @NFL are a disgrace and total losers for not showing the national anthem for the Rams v Eagles,' one critic wrote on X. 'Wow.'
NBC didn't show the national anthem before the Eagles played the Rams in the NFL playoffs
The surprising move comes just a day before Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington
Several fans were irate that NBC opted against showing Sunday's national anthem in Philly
Another fan directed his displeasure at NBC, saying: 'F^%# You for not showing the national Anthem!!! Shame on you!!!'
'Once again NBC doesn't show national anthem,' one commenter added. 'Thank God our country is moving away from woke and woke networks!!!'
One fan thought NBC's decision was particularly egregious considering the national outpouring of sympathy for those impacted by the wildfires around Los Angeles.
'I'm extremely disappointed @NBCSports did not broadcast the national anthem, especially in light of what has happened in the last two weeks with the wildfires in LA,' one person wrote.
'Obviously, NBC does not know how to stay classy.'
One fan directed blame at play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico: 'A big fat "F" for NBC and Tirico for not playing the National anthem before the Rams and Eagles NFL game.'
Another blamed commissioner Roger Goodell.
'F*** NBC, the NFL, and Roger Goodell,' they wrote on X. 'NBC Sports opted against airing the National Anthem before Sunday's Divisional Round game between the Philadelphia Eagles and visiting Los Angeles Rams.'
Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the game on Sunday
Years ago, networks rarely aired the national anthem outside of the Super Bowl or other major championships.
In fact, before 2009, NFL players weren’t even required to be on the field for the anthem with the exception of brief period following the 9/11 attacks.
However, the league and networks’ handling of the anthem has come under scrutiny since prominent players began protesting racist police brutality by kneeling during the song throughout the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Now players are required to ‘stand and show respect for the flag’ if they are present on the field during the anthem. However, players do have the right to remain in the locker room if they choose.
The issue also popped up at the collegiate level.
ESPN was recently slammed for skipping the national anthem at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans
Recently ESPN chief Burke Magnus admitted the network made 'an enormous mistake' not showing the national anthem before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
But Magnus blamed 'human error' after neither 'The Star-Spangled Banner' nor the moment of silence were shown on the main broadcast following the deadly terror attack, which killed 14 people and injured a further 35.
College football fans were left furious, with one branding ESPN 'disgusting' and former anchor Sage Steele accusing the network of deliberately skipping the anthem before Notre Dame faced Georgia at Caesars Superdome.
But Magnus, ESPN's president of content, insists the network feels 'terrible' about the incident and 'should be held to account' over it.
'There are a group of people in Bristol who just made an enormous mistake,' he told The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show.
'It was a human error, it happens. I don't want to minimize it by any stretch but nothing was normal about that next day - including our programming lineup.'
