Queen Anita Baker Gears Up Before The Superbowl Singing National Anthem Ahead Of NFC Championships Per Eagles Quarterback Superfan Request.
“It seems as if Jalen Hurts’ love of singer-songwriter Anita Baker has paid off for the Eagles quarterback.
The eight-time Grammy Awards winner performed the national anthem at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFC championship game on Sunday, which preceded a dominant 31-7 victory by Philadelphia over the visiting 49ers. And it appears she sang as a personal request from the franchise, per a tweet following her performance:
It’s unconfirmed why exactly Philadelphia asked Baker, a Detroit native, would sing ahead of the NFC title game. But it almost certainly has to do with a shoutout from Hurts earlier in the season following a Dec. 18 win over the Bears:
That isn’t the only time Hurts has spoken about his love of Baker and her dulcet tunes. He also spoke about his love for Baker before the season in an August interview with GQ, mentioning her music among several things he can’t live without:
“Anita Baker, she’s just so cold to me, like you know what I mean?” Hurts said. “She has a beautiful voice. She always can set the mood, set the tone.”
MORE: Jalen Hurts sings ‘Fly Eagles Fly’, shows Philly crowd love after NFC championship game win over 49ers
Hurts also mentioned a Baker song, “If I Could,” as his pregame song of choice (while giving a little sample of his own singing talent).” – sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/jalen-hurts-anita-baker-sing-national-anthem-nfc-championship-eagles-49ers/rzrwjsteigufz2gp3dq02lqo
Thank You @Eagles for this Personal, Invitation. My Birthday weekend, is Unsurpassed and Filled with JOY, to Sing for You!
ABXO https://t.co/ffEVPnV29h— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) January 29, 2023
🎉 CONGRATS! https://t.co/KrhHGZIb3a
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) December 18, 2022
