The NFL is planning to play �Lift Every Voice and Sing� before Week One games in the NFL.
The History Behind the Song
�Lift Every Voice and Sing� is a hymn, created by James Weldon Johnson as a poem in 1900. His brother, James Rosamond Johnson took the poem and turned it into a song in 1905.�
It made its first appearance in public in 1900 when 500 school children performed it in celebration of President Lincoln�s birthday.
The same year, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) deemed it the “National Anthem of African-Americans.”
The song itself is a prayer of thanksgiving for faithfulness and freedom. It alludes to the Bible, referring to the story of the �promised land.� Churchgoers sing the song in Church all across the United States.
NFL players have shown their appreciation towards the NFL deciding to play the Anthem before games.
Chris Conley, a Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Receiver said, �The league taking the opportunity to play �Lift every voice and sing� (the black national anthem) is sweet. It�s a great way to honor those who started this movement year[s] and years ago.�
The NFL was in deep waters a month ago, after not issuing a statement about the murder of George Floyd, since then they have released one and players put less pressure on them. The playing of �Lift Ev�ry Voice and Sing� is a huge step forward for the NFL. Maybe other leagues will bounce off this great idea, and play the song as well.
