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Gladys Knight Wants to 'Give the Anthem Back Its Voice' at Super Bowl 2019

Gladys Knight Wants to 'Give the Anthem Back Its Voice' at Super Bowl 2019

Gladys Knight is speaking out in response to questions about here stance on Colin Kaepernick and the NFL’s treatment of him.

The legendary singer will be singing the National Anthem at the 2019 Super Bowl, but many performers have been protesting the event after Kaepernick was essentially banned from the NFL for taking a knee during the Anthem.

“I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” Gladys said in a statement to Variety. “It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.”

“I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good — I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII,” she added.

“No matter who chooses to deflect with this narrative and continue to mix these two in the same message, it is not so and cannot be made so by anyone speaking it,” Gladys concluded. “I pray that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us.”

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Photos: Getty
Posted to: 2019 Super Bowl, Gladys Knight