Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.aol.com
NFL fans have gone to town on pop band Train’s lead singer, Pat Monahan, after his performance of the national anthem alongside his son before Monday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders.
Monahan took to the stage with his son, Rock, and a band to perform the Star-Spangled Banner in a unique rendition before the Monday Night Football contest on ESPN.
It’s not the first time a rendition of the national anthem has angered fans at NFL games this season, and it’s seemingly becoming a regular occurrence. However, many fans believe Monahan’s was one of the worst. It comes after Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni had to respond to questions on Jalen Hurts’ health amid wild reports emerging.
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One wrote, “MNF starts off with a HORRENDOUS rendition of the National anthem… not good. The NFL can do A LOT better than what we just saw!”
Another posted, “That was the most ATROCIOUS version of the National Anthem I think I’ve ever heard!! What on earth!!”
A third responded to a video of the anthem, “what kind of national anthem was that has to be simply one of the worst ones I’ve ever heard in forever come on Monday Night Football and San Francisco gotta do better than that. It’s horrible.”
While a fourth commented, “Okay, Im sorry but that was the worst rendition of the National Anthem I have ever heard…horrible.”
This wasn’t the first time Monahan — who won two Grammy Awards with Train for the songs “Hey, Soul Sister” and “Drops of Jupiter” — has performed the anthem alongside Rock, who also took part in Train’s most recent tour. The pair also performed together in 2024 before Game 4 of the American Hockey League’s championship series between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Hershey Bears.
Although many fans have been angered by the national anthem performances in recent weeks, one rendition went down so well that the artist has received pleas to be allowed to be at the Super Bowl.
49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk during the national anthem
Morgan St Jean sang the Star-Spangled Banner in the Buffalo Bills’ overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams last week, going a capella inside SoFi Stadium — where the Super Bowl will be held.
One fan wrote of her performance, “Just heard one of the best renditions of our National Anthem since Whitney,” as another said, “Lovely rendition. Not a lot of extra bs thrown in. Only one I have heard that was better was done by the Great Lou Rawls.”
The 49ers will hope to be at the Super Bowl after their strong start to the season, sitting at 5-0 and scoring two touchdowns early in their game against the Commanders.
