Legal NFL Super Bowl 58 National Anthem Prop Bets

Super Bowl National Anthem Betting Controversies

During Super Bowl 45, Christina Aguilera flubbed the fourth line, singing, "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming," instead of "O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.” This event was likely what prompted the origination of prop betting lines that ask if the performers will flub a lyric, as they now appear at legal Super Bowl betting sites each February.

Super Bowl 53’s rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner stirred debate when Gladys Knight added several mentions of the word “brave” at the end of the song. Sportsbooks decided the song was officially over after the first mention of the word, setting the precedent for the official conclusion of the Anthem when it comes to Super Bowl prop betting.

Garth Brooks refused to come out to sing the Star-Spangled Banner prior to Super Bowl 28, but later agreed to perform. Since that time, all performers have been required to pre-tape their rendition of the National Anthem to offset the risk of any incidents prior to the game.

Many performers have opted to use their pre-recorded tracks and lip sync the National Anthem instead of singing it live on Super Bowl Sunday. Whitney Houston’s performance in Super Bowl 25, widely considered to be the greatest ever performed, was actually lip-synced.