Chris Stapleton Retires from Singing the National Anthem

Chris Stapleton’s soulful, guitar-driven rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at the 2023 Super Bowl was nothing short of legendary.

It moved players and coaches to tears, captivated fans across the country, and solidified his place in Super Bowl anthem history.

But if you were hoping to hear him belt it out again, don’t hold your breath—Stapleton says he’s officially done with singing the anthem.

Keep reading to find out more!

Why Stapleton Rarely Agreed to Sing the Anthem

Unlike some artists who regularly perform The Star-Spangled Banner at major events, Stapleton had always been selective about when—and if—he would take on the challenge.

“I would have people ask me to sing the national anthem for various things,” he explained. “I jokingly always said, ‘No, I’ll just do it when it’s time to do it at the Super Bowl.’”

And that’s exactly what he did.

Now that he’s checked that off his bucket list, he’s officially retiring from it altogether.

“I do say now that I have officially retired from it as well,” Stapleton said during the Dirty Mo Media podcast.

The Intense Pressure of Singing the National Anthem

For an artist like Stapleton—who regularly performs in front of massive crowds—one might assume that singing the anthem would be just another gig.

But as he revealed, it wasn’t quite that simple.

“I don’t get nervous to play, necessarily. That one, I was like, ‘I was gonna make sure I’m as prepared as I can be,'” he admitted.

The reason? The national anthem is one of the most scrutinized performances an artist can take on.

There’s no room for mistakes—especially when performing live in front of millions of viewers.

“And I was live live,” Stapleton emphasized. “There was no pre-recorded anything.”

It wasn’t just about nailing the vocals—it was about making sure everything was right.

“My goal was to not mess up. Like, not mess up the words, not flub a guitar lick,” he said. “That was my goal, was to get through it to a degree that [I could say], ‘Alright, I executed the national anthem without insulting the national anthem.’”

Given the pressure and high stakes involved, it’s not hard to see why Stapleton decided that one time was enough.

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A Simple, Yet Unforgettable Performance

On February 12, 2023, Stapleton stepped onto the field at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, ahead of the Super Bowl showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dressed in his signature style—black jacket, sunglasses, and slacks—he carried nothing but his guitar.

Instead of an elaborate production with backing tracks or dramatic instrumentation, he delivered a raw, blues-infused version of the anthem that resonated deeply with fans, players, and viewers alike.

His performance was widely praised for its simplicity and authenticity.

Rather than trying to impress with vocal acrobatics, Stapleton let the song speak for itself, infusing it with a deep, soulful emotion that made it one of the most memorable Super Bowl anthems in recent history.

The emotional response was immediate. Nick Sirianni, the Eagles’ head coach, couldn’t hold back tears as the camera zoomed in on him during the performance.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Eagles center Jason Kelce also looked deeply moved by the moment.

Giving Credit to the TV Crew

While Stapleton was happy with how his performance turned out, he also made a point to acknowledge the team behind the Super Bowl broadcast, crediting them with helping make the moment feel even bigger.

“I’m not saying my version wasn’t good—I think it was good—but all the TV editing that they did while I was doing it was just spot-on,” he said.

“Everything that they did to make that moment feel as big and nice as it could, they did it, and they executed it flawlessly.”

It’s rare for an artist to give that level of credit to the production team, but it just shows how much thought and effort went into making sure Stapleton’s performance was captured perfectly for television audiences.

No Country Artist for the 2025 Super Bowl

For the first time in five years, a country artist did not perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

Instead, the multi-talented musician Jon Batiste had the honor of singing before the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles faced off once again in Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans.

Country music has had a strong presence in recent Super Bowls.

In the years leading up to Chris Stapleton’s iconic 2023 rendition, Eric Church and Mickey Guyton performed the anthem, followed by Reba McEntire in 2024 with a powerful delivery of the song.

Now that Stapleton has officially retired from performing the national anthem, it remains to be seen whether another country superstar will step up in the future—or if the tradition of country artists singing the anthem at the Super Bowl will start to fade.

@consequence Jon Batiste performs the National Anthem at Super Bowl LIX. #jonbatiste #superbowl #nationalanthem ♬ original sound – consequence

A Fitting “Mic Drop” Moment

Chris Stapleton may be done with The Star-Spangled Banner, but he’s left behind an unforgettable legacy with his 2023 Super Bowl performance.

His stripped-down, bluesy take on the song proved that you don’t need vocal theatrics or elaborate production to make an impact. Sometimes, less is more.

And if this was truly his last anthem performance? He went out on top.

Now, he can focus on what he does best—making incredible music on his terms.

Chris Stapleton’s Famous Hits

Conclusion

• Chris Stapleton’s decision to retire from singing The Star-Spangled Banner might come as a disappointment to fans who hoped for an encore, but it also makes his 2023 Super Bowl performance all the more special.
• By stepping away at the peak, he ensures that his rendition remains a once-in-a-lifetime moment—one that won’t be diluted by repetition.
• His performance was a masterclass in authenticity, proving that sometimes the most powerful moments come from simplicity and raw emotion.
• While other artists may take on the anthem in future Super Bowls, Stapleton’s version will always be remembered as one of the greatest.
• Though he won’t be singing the national anthem again, his music career is far from over.
• With his signature soulful voice and undeniable talent, he’ll continue to make an impact in country music and beyond—just without the added pressure of one of the hardest songs to perform live.
• For Stapleton, retiring from the anthem is not an end but a moment of closure. He came, he sang, he conquered—and now, he’s moving on.

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