NBC Sports has come under heavy criticism for not broadcasting the national anthem before a keenly watched NFL playoff game.
According to the Daily Mail, NBC's recent decision to skip the national anthem broadcast before the Eagles-Rams NFL playoff game has sparked considerable backlash amid ongoing national debates.
NBC Sports made the controversial choice to skip airing the national anthem before the NFL playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams.
The network announced the decision amid a series of contentious choices regarding anthem broadcasts and close to the date of Donald Trump's inauguration.
This incident is not isolated; earlier in January, ESPN faced similar criticism for choosing not to broadcast the national anthem during the rescheduled Sugar Bowl, following a terror attack in New Orleans that claimed 14 lives.
Traditionally, broadcasts of the NFL games did not feature the national anthem, except during significant events such as the Super Bowl.
The practice changed around 2009, leading to an increase in the anthem's visibility during broadcasts, which again came under scrutiny following player protests against racist police brutality starting in 2016.
While NFL rules now allow players to stay in the locker room during the anthem, those on the field must show respect toward the flag.
In a response to recent criticism about skipping anthems, ESPN's President of Content Burke Magnus described the omission at the Sugar Bowl as a result of human error.
Magnus admitted that the broadcasting team failed to show both the national anthem and a moment of silence planned after the terror attack, reflecting on the abnormal circumstances affecting their programming lineup that day.
His statement attempted to explain the slip as unintentional but still significant in the context of ongoing debates over such broadcasts.
Critics and fans expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms like X and Twitter, directing their ire towards NBC and the NFL.
Statements such as "Y'all and the @NFL are a disgrace and total losers for not showing the national anthem for the Rams v Eagles," and "Once again NBC doesn't show national anthem. Thank God our country is moving away from woke and woke networks!!!" illustrate the strong feelings among viewers.
Another point of contention was NBC's decision to skip the anthem broadcast during a time when Los Angeles was suffering from devastating wildfires, which killed 27 people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings.
The criticism reached a pinnacle with some users assigning direct blame, "A big fat 'F' for NBC and Tirico for not playing the National Anthem before the Rams and Eagles NFL game," capturing the sentiment of several dismayed fans.
Another angry comment targeted multiple stakeholders: "F*** NBC, the NFL, and Roger Goodell."
Such strong reactions highlight the complex dynamics between national tragedies, sports broadcasting decisions, and public expectations.
The recent event sheds light on the challenges media outlets face when deciding whether to broadcast the national anthem, particularly during times of national distress.
The combination of political events, national disasters, and public ceremonies such as the national anthem invokes strong reactions from the public, showing deep national sentiments tied to these symbols.
As networks navigate these waters, the responses from the public and commentators alike emphasize the weight of the decisions made by broadcasters regarding what to include in their NFL game coverage.
Moving forward, how sports broadcasters handle the airing of the national anthem may continue to evoke strong opinions, illustrating the ongoing conflict between national pride and corporate decision-making in the realm of public sports events.
Whether changes will be made to how such decisions are approached remains to be seen, as the public, networks, and sports organizations continue to dialogue around these heartfelt issues.
