NFL Faces Backlash Over National Anthem Performance in Brazil

The 2025 NFL season opened with notable controversies surrounding national anthem performances and player conduct. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, the NFL's Week 1 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs featured a highly criticized rendition of the U.S. national anthem, performed by jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and a bass player whose offbeat accompaniment drew widespread boos and social media backlash, with many fans calling it one of the worst anthem performances in NFL history. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys was overshadowed by an early incident where Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter spat on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, leading to Carter's ejection amid conflicting video evidence about who spat first. The Eagles-Cowboys game also featured the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" before the national anthem, adding to the contentious atmosphere. Additionally, YouTube secured an exclusive streaming deal for the Chiefs-Chargers game in Brazil, offering it free to viewers, though attention was largely focused on the anthem controversy. These events marked a turbulent start to the NFL season, highlighting tensions both on and off the field.