NFL fans have been left angry after discovering the singer of the national anthem at Saturday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is Canadian.
Country music singer and Army Reserve member Craig Morgan first performed God Bless America before Cassandra DiFruscio took center stage at Levi’s Stadium to sing The Star-Spangled Banner in the minutes before kickoff.
DiFruscio, who currently lives in Nashville, originally hails from Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada.
And while her performance received mixed reviews on social media, fans watching on at home were surprised she got the role given she’s not American.
One commented: ‘Maybe it’s just me but it seems weird to have a Canadian sing our National Anthem.’
Another asked: ‘They couldn’t find an American to sing our national anthem?’ with a series of confused emojis.
NFL fans are angry Canada’s Cassandra DiFruscio sang the 49ers-Seahawks national anthem
A third added: ‘Is it weird to have a Canadian sing our national anthem?’
‘Having a Canadian sing the anthem should get someone fired,’ another stated on X.
Another unhappy viewer contributed: ‘So Craig Morgan just opened up for some unknown Canadian ‘vocalist’ that butchered our National anthem. More woke garbage from the fading NFL.’
DiFruscio has performed the anthem at previous 49ers and her personal website states she has performed The Star-Spangled Banner at over 100 sporting events.
That number includes games in the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, NBA, and WNBA.
She has also performed the anthem at NBA playoff games and Saturday night’s game between the 49ers and Seahawks had major playoff implications.
Seattle’s 13-3 victory in Santa Clara handed them the No. 1 seed in the NFC, ensuring they get a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.