NBC is facing criticism from NFL fans after its “Sunday Night Football” broadcast skipped the national anthem ahead of the Chicago Bears’ Week 9 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The decision drew attention because the game took place during Veterans Day week, when some viewers expected the network to show the pregame ceremony at Soldier Field.
Chicago defeated Tampa Bay 27-24 on Sunday night, improving to 7-2 under head coach Ben Johnson. However, some fans took to social media to criticize NBC’s coverage before the game.
The network aired its usual pregame programming but did not show the national anthem performance.
One fan wrote on X, “NBC REFUSES to show our National Anthem — NBC shows where they stand. Your BS commercials are as fake as your news.”
Although networks do not broadcast the national anthem before every NFL game, the decision prompted questions from viewers who wanted to see the ceremony.
NBC’s National Anthem Decision Draws Criticism From NFL Fans
NBC’s broadcast included an introduction featuring analyst Cris Collinsworth and play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle.
The network then aired a pregame interview with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
According to Fox News, viewers next saw an aerial shot of Soldier Field as people carried a large, folded American flag off the field and into a stadium tunnel.
The broadcast did not include the national anthem itself.
Fox News reported that OutKick contacted NBC executive vice president of communications Greg Hughes and senior vice president of communications Chris McCloskey to ask why the ceremony was omitted.
Neither executive had responded by the time the report was published.
The network did air other pregame material, including Carrie Underwood’s “Sunday Night Football” opening theme.
NBC also covered Chicago’s acquisition of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
The decision to omit the anthem drew particular attention because Veterans Day falls on November 11.
Bears Faced Previous National Anthem Controversy Earlier This Season
Sunday’s broadcast criticism followed another national anthem controversy involving Chicago earlier in the season.
On September 28, the Bears hosted Mariachi Herencia de México for a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before their game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chicago-based group performed an instrumental mariachi arrangement of the national anthem as part of the team’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, “Vamos Bears.”
The performance aired during ESPN and ABC’s “Monday Night Football” coverage.
The arrangement received mixed reactions from viewers.
Williams also drew attention during the ceremony when cameras showed the injured quarterback pacing along the sideline while the anthem played.
NBC Faces Backlash Over ‘Sunday Night Football’ National Anthem Decision During Veterans Day Week