Breaking through the noise of winter weather armageddon, last night’s NFC Championship game offered America a much-needed escape from the constant bombardment of headlines. As the final game before the Super Bowl on February 8, the high-octane matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks was made even more memorable by Zach Top’s national anthem performance.
When it comes to country music moments that spark a massive online reaction, Top seems to have a Midas touch. The reigning 2025 ACM and CMA New Artist of the Year is riding an unstoppable hot streak, and last night’s performance only added to his growing momentum
Top took center stage at Lumen Field as the opening act for the decisive matchup, which ultimately ended in a tight 31–27 victory for Seattle. The win secured the Seahawks a spot in the Super Bowl, where they’ll face the New England Patriots following New England’s win over Denver earlier in the day. The Washington native made his allegiance clear, stepping onto the field in a Seahawks-green windbreaker, and judging by the crowd’s reaction to his performance, he likely celebrated the night’s success more than once.
With a roaring crowd echoing the praise following Top’s anthem performance, there’s no doubt this rendition was a standout one. That energy quickly carried over online, where the performance gained traction across Instagram, X, and Facebook. Fans flooded comment sections with praise (and, of course, the few but expected negative comments).
With this appearance, Top joins a growing list of country music stars who have delivered memorable national anthem performances in the NFL. Artists like Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, and Eric Church have all taken on the iconic song in recent years, and many viewers believe Top’s version belongs among the best. Reactions poured in under @countrychord’s Instagram post, with fans enthusiastically hyping up the 28-year-old singer.
As with any high-profile performance, there were a few voices quick to spread negativity, especially given the immense expectations that come with such a historic song and the precedent set by standout performances from powerhouse vocalists like Chris Stapleton. A quick scroll through Instagram or X reveals inevitable comparisons, along with harsh critics who suddenly seem to know everything there is to know about singing. Top has also faced ongoing criticism after rising to fame from some who claim he fakes a country accent given his West Coast Washington roots.
Still, the majority rules that the performance was incredible, and hopefully introduced those watching (and living under a rock) to Zach Top. Even Charles Wesley Godwin stepped in with some praise, calling the performance, “some sweet sweet American goodness.”
With many football fans continuing to boycott the halftime show amid backlash over Bad Bunny’s performance, the idea of a country-led Super Bowl halftime show feels more relevant than ever. Time will tell whether the NFL hears those calls and finally flips the switch for Super Bowl LXI next year.