‘Whitney’s Anthem’ Premieres Tonight on ESPN

Whitney Houston’s singing of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV is widely regarded as one of the most iconic moments in both sports and music.

Now, 31 years after that performance, and on the 10-year anniversary of Whitney‘s tragic death, ESPN’s E60 will explore how, set against the backdrop of the Gulf War, her performance that night helped unify the country and why Nippy’s stunning rendition still resonates today.

“Whitney’s Anthem” will premiere tonight Friday February 11th, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and will be available afterward via streaming on demand on ESPN+ and the ESPN App.

Super Bowl XXV was played January 27, 1991, in Tampa between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. The event occurred just days after U.S. and Allied forces launched Operation Desert Storm in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The country was on edge.

In the half-hour E60, the story of the anthem is told by the people who were intimately involved. They include Whitney’s musical director; the NFL executive who almost rejected Whitney’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner;” NFL Hall of Famers who were feet away from the performance; legendary sports announcers who thought the game would be the most memorable moment; and a Desert Storm military veteran who was watching her sing from the other side of the planet. As Jeremy Schaap reports, sports, politics and music converged in that unforgettable moment.

Among those interviewed in the program:
Rickey Minor — award-winning music producer/Whitney Houston’s music director
Al Michaels — ABC Sports play-by-play commentator for Super Bowl XXV
Chris Berman — ESPN commentator
Jim Kelly – former Buffalo Bills quarterback
Bruce Smith – former Bills defensive end
Andre Reed – former Bills wide receiver
Ottis Anderson – former New York Giants running back/Super Bowl XXV MVP
Carl Banks – former Giants linebacker
Jim Steeg – former Director, NFL Special Events
Lt. Don Collins — Gulf War Veteran, U.S. Air Force
Chris Connelly — entertainment journalist and ESPN commentator
Danyel Smith – author, journalist, producer, host
Whitney’s Anthem is produced by Russell Dinallo and Simon Baumgart.