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National Anthem Performance Before Packers-Eagles Goes Viral

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Jan 12, 2025 4:54 PM ET

The No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles are facing off against the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers in a wild-card round matchup at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon.

Before the game's 4:30 p.m. EST kickoff, saxophone musician Vanya Sax took the field to deliver his rendition of the national anthem.

As national anthem performances often do, this pregame performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" drew some strong reactions from fans around the NFL world.

Countless fans flooded social media with reactions before kickoff of Sunday's first-round playoff contest. The vast majority of fans seemed to particularly love this instrumental rendition.

One of the best national anthem performances I’ve ever heard. Vanya Sax set the tone early pic.twitter.com/PVTKCINUCF
— Steve (@TheRealPeaceyP) January 12, 2025

"I just watched the National Anthem at the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Packers game played by a saxophonist. What brought chills and great pride is hearing the crowd singing along!!!" one fan wrote.

"That was a fantastic rendition of the national anthem," another said.

"That National Anthem ended just as I finished running through every wall in my house. If that didn’t get every Birds fan jacked then please call an EMT due to a medical emergency," another said.

"National Anthem should always be played that way!! Love it! Love the saxophone!!" another wrote.

The @Eagles are so based for getting a live bald eagle to fly around the stadium during the national anthem. Love when they do this. #GBvsPHI pic.twitter.com/I228HXXT26
— Ryan Duff (@ryancduff) January 12, 2025