Recent claims suggesting that Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin have banned the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly referred to as the Black national anthem, are unfounded and stem from satirical sources. These rumors have been debunked by reputable fact-checking organizations.
The narrative appears to have originated from a satirical article published on December 11, 2024, by SpaceXMania, titled “Chiefs Coach and Coach Tomlin Stand Together in Banning Black National Anthem: ‘One Flag, One Anthem’.” While the article was intended as satire, its content was misinterpreted and disseminated across social media platforms as factual information. This misrepresentation led to widespread belief in the false claim that both coaches had prohibited the song at NFL games.
Further fueling the misconception, similar fabricated stories have targeted both coaches in the past. For instance, false reports have claimed that Coach Tomlin suspended players for kneeling during the national anthem, and that Coach Reid dismissed top players for similar protests. These allegations have been thoroughly investigated and debunked by fact-checking organizations.
In reality, both coaches have expressed support for their players’ rights to protest and advocate for social justice. In 2020, Coach Tomlin stated, “Our position is simple: We’re going to support our players and their willingness to participate in this—whether it’s statements or actions.” This sentiment underscores his commitment to backing his players’ choices regarding peaceful demonstrations.
Similarly, the NFL has not instituted any ban on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The song has been performed at significant events, including the season opener and the Super Bowl, since 2020. Tim Schlittner, the NFL’s Director of Communications, confirmed in October 2024 that claims about the league banning the song were “false.”
It’s essential to approach sensational claims with caution and verify information through credible sources before accepting it as truth. Misinformation can easily spread, especially when satirical content is taken out of context and presented as factual. Both Coach Reid and Coach Tomlin have demonstrated a history of supporting their players’ rights to express themselves, and there is no evidence to suggest they have taken actions to ban the Black national anthem from NFL events.
