Update (January 18, 2019): One day after the NFL announced ATL native Gladys Knight would be singing the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII next month, the Empress of Soul has released a statement through Variety expressing her opinions on the league’s blackballing of former quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” her statement began. “It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.”
She continued her statement by affirming her intentions behind singing the national anthem: using her struggles for equality as part of the reason for accepting the job.
“I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, 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, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good — I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII.”
Despite her statement, Knight is still facing backlash for signing on to do the job, CNN reports, with many claiming that by doing so, the former restaurateur is “against Kaepernick.”
Original: Legendary R&B singer Gladys Knight will be gracing the field at this year's Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia.
"I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country in my hometown of Atlanta," Knight said in a statement, according to CBS News. "The NFL recently announced their new social justice platform Inspire Change, and I am honored to be a part of its inaugural year."
Inspire Change is an initiative created by the NFL in response to national anthem protests sparked back in 2016 by Colin Kaepernick. The group was announced in January 2019 and will oversee donations to social justice organizations. So far it has approved grants supporting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Operation HOPE.
The NFL describes the initiative as "the collaborative efforts of players, owners, and the league to create positive change in communities across the country."
The lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips announced her performance via Instagram.
"Atlanta, I’m coming home," she wrote.
Atlanta remains a special place for the artist. CBS Sports reports Knight was honored by her hometown in 2015 when the city renamed State Route 9 from Peachtree Street to 14th Street the new Gladys Knight Highway.
The Super Bowl's half-time performance will be include Travis Scott, Big Boi and Maroon 5. Those announcements were met with some criticism. Jay-Z reportedly tried to talk Scott out of performing given the league's treatment of Colin Kaepernick, the former quarterback who began the #TakeAKnee protests.
As Blavity reported, a petition calling on Super Bowl performers to take a knee during their sets has recently gained traction; it currently has over 85,000 signatures.
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