On Thanksgiving Day, Aretha Franklin sat down at the piano before the Detroit Lions’ game against the Minnesota Vikings and pulled out a version of the national anthem that was more of a church spiritual than anything else.
The performance was 4 minutes and 35 seconds long, and of course, she absolutely stunned everyone who was watching, both during the game and afterward when the performance was shared so many times on social media.
Franklin’s lengthy rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” has earned a few chuckles online, as some poked fun at how long the performance lasted.
Check out the amazing performance (and reactions) below!
NFL 2016 Live 1 (00) – Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem https://t.co/9tjUuAvUNp
— ?thinking diehard (@hanae_56_20) November 24, 2016
Lol they put Aretha Franklin on the time of possession graphic for her long national anthem. ? pic.twitter.com/cwPUFmclFE
— Markeece Young (@YoungBLKRepub) November 24, 2016
Y’all just couldn’t wait…. #detroitallday #arethafranklin rocks!!! pic.twitter.com/IhP5TTkprW
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) November 24, 2016
Kaepernick would’ve developed arthritis in his knee for kneeling so long if the 49ers were playing while Aretha Franklin sang the anthem
— Brock (@BrockOgami) November 24, 2016
Since Aretha Franklin started this National Anthem, I have showered, shaved, driven to my in laws, and on my 3rd beer #MINvsDET #Drawnout
— TheSportsStance (@SportsStance_) November 24, 2016