Bills Break Tradition with Rare National Anthem Decision Before Chiefs Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Nov 17, 2024 4:41 PM ET

NFL games almost always feature a performance of the United States national anthem before kickoff. But at Orchard Park's Highmark Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills elected to go a different route.

Instead of a typical performance of "The Star Spangled Banner," the Bills decided to roll out a pregame rendition of "God Bless America."

Kansas City insider Darren Smith believes the Bills made this decision to avoid giving visiting Chiefs fans an opportunity to yell "and the home of the CHIEFS" at the end of the national anthem.

"The Bills literally played God Bless America instead of the national anthem so you wouldn’t hear home of the Chiefs," Smith reported before kickoff.

The Bills literally played God Bless America instead of the national anthem so you wouldn’t hear home of the Chiefs
— Darren Smith (@DarrenSmithNFL) November 17, 2024

The last time Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs came to Orchard Park, they took down the Bills with a 27-24 final score in the Divisional Round of the 2023 postseason. In front of the Bills' home crowd, Mahomes completed 17 of his 23 pass attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

This year's edition of the Chiefs-Bills rivalry features two elite NFL teams. Kansas City is 9-0 as the franchise searches for the first Super Bowl three-peat in league history. The Bills are 8-2, entering the game on a five-game winning streak.

Bills Mafia is out in full force to support its team against the rival Chiefs on Sunday. Buffalo got off to a hot start, intercepting Mahomes on the Chiefs' first drive and capitalizing with a game-opening rushing touchdown from James Cook.

The Bills lead the Chiefs 6-0 in the first quarter following a missed extra point attempt from kicker Tyler Bass.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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