Boyz II Men criticized for national anthem before Cowboys-Eagles season opener
Fans on social media called the group's rendition “the worst” as an on-field incident involving Eagles' Jalen Carter drew additional attention
Boyz II Men's rendition of the U.S. national anthem at the NFL's 2025 season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys drew widespread criticism from viewers on social media.
The three-piece group, who are from Philadelphia and longtime Eagles supporters, performed before the curtain-raising game on Thursday night. Millions watched the season opener, and many turned to X to express disappointment with the performance.
"This is the worst national anthem to ever start any sports season," one user wrote on X while the song was being sung. Another posted, "I know how good Boyz II Men 'could've' done that. Holy s*** that hurt." Several viewers suggested technical problems might have affected the performance, with one saying the group sounded like "a church choir practicing" and another noting unusual monitor or earpiece issues.
The criticism circulated alongside coverage of an on-field incident early in the game. Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected for allegedly spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before a snap, a development that some viewers said would shift attention away from the anthem controversy.
Boyz II Men have performed at major sporting events in the past and are well known for their vocal harmonies. The group has been reduced to a three-piece lineup in recent years. Organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the performance or any technical difficulties.
Social media reaction to anthem performances has become a routine aspect of high-profile sports broadcasts, with fans and commentators frequently weighing in within minutes. On Thursday night, the combination of the national anthem reaction and the early ejection ensured both pregame and in-game moments drew immediate scrutiny.
The Eagles hosted the Cowboys in the season opener at Lincoln Financial Field. The game continued after the ejection, and broadcasters shifted coverage between play-by-play action and reactions to both the anthem and the on-field incident as the evening unfolded.