Irma Thomas brought the national anthem to Monday Night Football in New Orleans, and the setting gave the performance an extra layer of history before the Saints-Falcons matchup.
Thomas, 85, sang with pianist River Eckert as ESPN rolled out its broadcast plans for the night. The game also marked 20 years since the Saints returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, which only sharpened the spotlight on the pregame moment.
There was already a little anthem buzz around the NFL this season, and this one fit right into it. Last week, an operatic Steelers-Bengals performance reportedly caught Aaron Rodgers’ attention. In New Orleans, though, the reaction quickly turned toward the connection Thomas has with the building itself.
She’s been there before. Thomas and Allen Toussaint performed the anthem at the Superdome on September 25, 2006, and New Orleans beat Atlanta 23-3 that night.
Steve Gleason’s blocked punt, which Curtis Deloatch recovered for a touchdown, ended up as the defining play. The NFL said the Saints would honor both men Monday.
Fans on X immediately picked up on the symbolism and ran with it.
“Irma Thomas linking up with River Eckert on the keys is the ultimate pass of the torch for New Orleans music.”
“What a beautiful full-circle moment. Irma Thomas returning to the Dome after all these years makes this moment even more special.”
“that’s like having your favorite coach back for the championship game - timeless talent still lighting up the field. 85 years and still bringing the house down; can’t say that about too many legends.”
“irma thomas sang it in 2006 and she’s back 20 years later the soul queen of new orleans, 85 years old, still has the whole dome in her hands this entire pregame has been chills”
The music didn’t stop with the anthem. The Saints announced that Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue would headline halftime, with Eric Church, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile, and Cyril and Ivan Neville also part of the show. Axios reported that Marc Broussard would perform a pregame concert at Champions Square.
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