Rachel Platten was left visibly emotional after performing the national anthem before the LA Rams‘ playoff win – but NFL fans are convinced they were crocodile tears.
The Rams earned an emotional Wild Card victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night following a devastating week in Los Angeles, where thousands of homes have been destroyed and 24 lives lost amid the ongoing wildfires.
After seven days of turmoil and tragedy, Platten struggled to keep her tears at bay at the end of her emotionally-charged rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
However, a large number of football fans didn’t buy it.
Several users took to social media to accuse the singer and songwriter of ‘fake crying’ at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona – where Monday’s game was moved to due to the wildfires in LA.
‘Rachel Platten fake crying after the national anthem was comedy,’ said one on X.
Tonight’s national anthem performed by singer songwriter and author Rachel Platten pic.twitter.com/19VBeVtr6V
— 𝒥𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒯𝑒𝑒𝓃⚡️🤍| Fan Account (@Rlop1234Goat) January 14, 2025
Another asked: ‘Did that lady just start fake crying after singing the National Anthem?’
‘Rachel Platten should not do the National Anthem again and that dramatic cry in the camera….give me a break,’ wrote a third.
One user replied to that comment: ‘Glad somebody else noticed that “I need all the attention” moment’.
While another claimed: ‘FAKE TEARS FROM RACHEL PLATTEN SHES NOT EVEN FROM LA SHE GREW UP IN NEWTON MASS’.
Despite the fake-cry accusations, Los Angeles players were also moved by the moment as Platten sang the national anthem.
ESPN’s broadcast panned over Rams stars Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, who appeared choked up on the sidelines, while head coach Sean McVay was caught looking glassy-eyed.
As a growing force of firefighters continue to battle the brutal conditions on the frontlines back in Los Angeles, the Rams honored their hometown heroes earlier in the evening.
Stafford, McVay and co. also wore special t-shirts, reading ‘LAFD,’ in the team’s colors as the players took to the field to warmup, while a moment of silence was held pregame to pay respect to the victims of the tragedy.
Before the teams took to the field to unite in the singing of the national anthem, Platten had performed a rendition of her 2015 hit ‘Fight Song,’ over the top of a montage showing first responders heroically battling the infernos.
Arriving at State Farm Stadium Monday evening, quarterback Stafford chose to make his own gesture as he donned a navy LAFD hoodie for his entrance.
He then went on to inspire his team to a shock 27-9 win over the Vikings after completing 19 of his 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
