At least they didn’t play the Black national anthem.

NFL fans fume as Mexican Mariachi band perform national anthem on Monday Night Football

20:19 EDT 28 Sep 2026, updated 20:49 EDT 28 Sep 2026

NFL fans couldn't believe their ears when a Mexican mariachi band performed an unusual rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner before the Eagles-Bears Monday Night Football showdown.

Ahead of kickoff at Soldier Field, the Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico were given the stage to perform the US national anthem live on ESPN in front of tens of millions of viewers.

The rendition left fans split as they watched on from home, with one writing: 'Why they got a mariachi band playing on my TV, f***s going on?'

Another added: 'Why in the F is a garbage mariachi band playing the national anthem.'

A third said: 'Maybe it’s just me… but hearing the American national anthem played mariachi-style on Monday Night Football feels weird. I understand putting your own spin on music, but the national anthem is one of those things that just hits harder when it’s kept traditional. Some things don’t need reinventing.'

Others, though, loved the performance, with ESPN playcaller Joe Buck even claiming it gave him 'chills' when he took over in the booth.

On X, one fan claimed: 'Whoever decided on the mariachi band national anthem needs a raise immediately.'

The performance was part of the Bears' annual 'Latino Heritage Month' celebrations, with various Latino-inspired activations taking place around the stadium.

It was the first time a mariachi group had ever performed the national anthem at a Bears game, making history in front of a packed stadium.

The group had even appeared on Pat McAfee's ESPN show earlier in the day to preview their performance, with the host claiming he was 'pumped up' to watch it.

It became a very divisive decision from the Bears, though, as some claimed the franchise had 'lost its mind' by veering away from the usual patriotic performance.

The tradition of performing the national anthem ahead of NFL games is a long-standing and extremely patriotic one, with Americans - in the stadium and at home - often quick to judge the performance.

Acoustic versions often come in for the most criticism, and that was exactly what the mariachi band produced on Monday night.

As they performed, ESPN showed a wide shot of the field with the American flag, before panning around some confused-looking players and crowd members.

I’ve got mixed opinions on this one, I think.

On the plus side, the band played better than some singers who try too hard to “personalize” it.

I didn’t hear it, but have no problem with the concept.

I watched it and was not impressed. Just asked myself 'Why' ?

I’m against. It’s an anthem. A symbol. It doesn’t need to be personalized or popularized or arranged differently. It should be performed as written. It’s not pop.

Some things should just be left alone. Ave Maria or Amazing Grace shouldn’t be rapped.

Mariachi bands during halftime, fine.

Not even interested in the NFL anymore.
They killed it for me.

The fact that people still watch the NFL is the problem here. They are about as anti-American as it comes. But, I guess we have short memories

I questioned WTF is a Mexican mariachi playing the national anthem.

Didn’t like it.

I dont watch football anymore but I saw it. Nothing wrong with it at all. If people want the original version written by Francis Scott Key and everything else is blasphemy, make sure you voice your disagreement with Whitney's version too.

Is the big bitch because a Mexican based band did it or is it more because it wasn't the version you grew up with? There are many great renditions of the national anthem this wasn't one of them, but it was nicely done and quite respectful. I mean Hendrix did his twist and no one complained.

This goes on a long list of things I never asked for, and don't need, along with Joe Buck.

"Chills" my ass.

Free taco's would have been a better idea.

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:

Is the big bitch because a Mexican based band did it or is it more because it wasn't the version you grew up with?

Neither. It's the silly pandering plain and simple, and the expectation that the rest of us are supposed to clap wildly and appreciate the unique artistry this version brings to the NFL experience. I'm looking forward to October when the NFL will have an Oompah band do the Anthem to celebrate the diversity of that specific cultural demographic who watches the NFL.

Full disclosure: I don't watch NFL so I didn't see it, and I won't bother look for it on YT. But if the NFL does an Oompah band version, I will look that up.

quote:

Originally posted by Tailhook 84:

Neither. It's the silly pandering plain and simple

They have gone woke and at each chance they get they try to stick their thumb in the eye of the viewer. This is merely the 2026 version of taking a knee

I bet it would cause some heartburn among the fans if their special black national anthem was played by a mariachi band…

“Everything woke turns to shit.”

- President Trump

I thought it was respectful, well played, and as a former trumpet player, I've got to say, that guy has great tone and lots of chops.

Mariachi is pretty American at this point, but I'm not sure on the venue here, there are a lot of sunbelt teams this would have been more fitting for. like the Chargers, or the Raiders, but Bears/Eagles? why?

What makes it American? It may be popular in certain areas but does that make it American? One might argue that the opposite in fact. Do we think that Mexicans in Mexico would consider mariachi part of American culture now?

If there is celebration of another culture, why is that cause to let them play our national anthem? If we had the three tenors sing the anthem just because they were good, that might be one thing. But to let the mariachi band play the anthem because they are celebrating latino heritage now doesn't sound right.

So when will the NFL have a British or Irish or German or French or Spanish or Japanese or Chinese folk style band play the anthem at NFL games? When is Spanish heritage month? Maybe the NFL can get a flamenco band to play the anthem.

BTW, I enjoy mariachi music when apropos. This occurrence, however, doesn't seem apropros.

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
This goes on a long list of things I never asked for, and don't need, along with Joe Buck.

"Chills" my ass.

I will still watch football but joe buck can eat a bag of dicks …

glad I missed that. buck is a dumb fuck.