The Buffalo Bills used their new home opener to try something different, and not every fan was ready for it. Before Thursday night’s game against the Detroit Lions at the brand-new Highmark Stadium, the team played the Canadian national anthem as part of a pregame celebration that included both the American and Canadian anthems.
Toronto-based rock band Barenaked Ladies handled “O Canada” to open the festivities, and the Bills posted a clip from the stadium on Thursday night. The reaction came fast, and plenty of it was hostile.
Several fans pushed back on the idea of an NFL team in New York starting the night with the Canadian anthem. “You guys play in the United States, don’t need to sing the Canadian national anthem,” one fan said.
“We start with o f-king Canada? What other NFL team does this? What the f-k,” another wrote.
A third fan took issue with the performance itself, saying, “As much as I appreciate y’all playing our anthem. That was one of the worst renditions I have ever heard. Sounded like 4 teenage boys going through puberty 😂,”
“This isn’t Canada!! Why the hell are we singing another country’s song??” one more commenter added.
One fan said he was “officially done with the Bills.”
While the anthem choice stirred up noise online, Buffalo wasted no time making things loud on the field too. The Bills jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter against Detroit, and Josh Allen was right in the middle of it. By the time of the report, he had thrown for 135 yards, tossed a touchdown, and added a one-yard rushing score.
With the fast start, Buffalo was in position to open the year 2-0.
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