NFL fans brutally mocked singer Jimmy Charles over his rendition of the national anthem before the Browns took on the Ravens on Saturday.
M&T Bank Stadium held a moment of silence following the deadly terror attack in New Orleans and the recent death of President Jimmy Carter.
Charles then sang ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ but his performance was savaged by supporters on social media.
ESPN included the national anthem and moment of silence for Jimmy Carter and the victims of the New Orleans terror attacks, two days after igniting scandal over its Sugar Bowl coverage.
The broadcaster left fans furious on Jan. 2 when they left the tributes to New Orleans out of its coverage live from the city where the Sugar Bowl had been delayed by a day due to the New Year attack.
But on Saturday, it made no such mistake for its coverage of Cleveland Browns against Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.
Prayers up to Jimmy Carter and Innocent people who were killed in New Orleans ❤️
Jimmy Charles performs the National Anthem pic.twitter.com/YbheTzsVLi— 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒆𝒆𝒏 ⚡️ #𝓛4𝓑 (@Rlop1234Goat) January 4, 2025
The tribute at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland was not only for the 14 people killed in New Orleans but also for former President Jimmy Carter, whose funeral was held in Atlanta on Saturday.
ESPN has been subjected to an angry backlash in the days that followed their coverage of Notre Dame’s win over Georgia in New Orleans, where the main channel missed the stirring tributes before kickoff with the city in mourning.
But fans watching on from home for Saturday’s Ravens game all had a similar response as the tributes were broadcast around the United States.
‘JFC Jimmy Charles, that is one of the WORST “national anthem” performances of all time…’ one NFL fan said.
‘That was by far the worst national anthem I’ve ever heard in my entire life! I literally can’t believe it.’
‘Browns/Ravens – I don’t care who wins. We all lost after hearing that awful, awful, AWFUL attempt at “The Star Spangled Banner.”‘
‘Whoever @Ravens had sing the National Anthem… please never let him do that again. My ears are bleeding,’ one said.
‘The national anthem singer just now is definitely in the running for top 2 worst performances of the Star Spangled Banner, 2nd only to Fergie,’ another said.
‘We have a new entrant to consider in the “Worst Sports National Anthem” competition! Jimmy Charles before the Ravens game was so bad my wife actually said, “ewww, what was that?!”‘ added a third.
Andress later admitted to being drunk while performing and checked herself into rehab.
Charles is a country singer and an Ocean City, Maryland native, with his hometown football team giving him the opportunity to sing the national anthem in front of a nationwide audience.
He appeared on ‘American Idol’ in 2010 after taking the typical big risk in the country-music industry and moving to Nashville.
Before singing the national anthem, Charles received a No 50 personalized jersey from the Ravens. He also posted a video to his Instagram story watching Lamar Jackson warming up.
Being one of the Ravens’ flock did not save him from massive criticism.
