Rosanne barr botched the National Anthem, sardonically gestured spitting and grabbing a hypothetical cup.
Barr’s off-key rendition of the National Anthem was at Jack Murphy Stadium between games of a double header San Diego Padres against the Cincinnati Reds. The Padres were in the middle of a disastrous season, but had just beaten the Reds by a score of 2-1 in the first game.
A few weeks earlier Tom Werner and his ownership group had purchased the Padres. Werner was also an Executive Producer of the hit television show Roseanne. With it being “Working Women’s Night” at the ballpark, having Roseanne sing the Anthem must have seemed like a perfect match for Werner’s interests. She was booed and never asked to sing at a game again.
“If you were there, you could feel the intensity. You know, we were in the Gulf War at the time. It was an intense time for a country. A lot of our daughters and sons were overseas fighting. I could see, in the stadium, I could see the fear, the hope, the intensity, the prayers going up, you know, and I just felt like this is the moment. And it was hope, we needed hope, you know, to bring our babies home and that’s what it was about for me, that what I felt when I sang that song, and the overwhelming love coming out of the stands was incredible.” – Whitney Houston talking about how she felt at the moment when she belted out the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV
10 days into the Persian Gulf War, Whitney Houston took the field at Tampa Stadium and performed “The Star Spangled Banner,” backed by the Florida Orchestra along with music director Jahja Ling, before 73,813 fans, 115 million viewers in the United States and a worldwide television audience of 750 million.
Because of the Gulf War situation, this marked the first time the Super Bowl would be telecast in most countries around the world. Outside of North America and the United Kingdom, the Super Bowl was broadcast for the first time in such countries as Australia, Russia, and most other countries. Houston’s performance was later used as a music video of the song.
The Giants defeated the Bills by the score of 20–19, winning their second ever Super Bowl. It is the only Super Bowl decided by one point. The Bills and their explosive no-huddle offense were making their first Super Bowl appearance after finishing the regular season with a 13-3 record, and leading the league in total points scored with 428. In advancing to their second Super Bowl, the Giants also posted a 13-3 regular season record, but with a ball-control offense and a defense that allowed a league low 211 points.
Stadium: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida Attendance: 73,813 MVP: Ottis Anderson, Running back Favorite: Bills by 7 Cost of 30-second commercial: US$800,000
The game was played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It marked the first time that a Super Bowl was held at a cold-weather city. Super Bowl XVI also became one of the most watched broadcasts in American television history, with more than 85 million viewers.
The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 26–21 to win their first Super Bowl. Both teams were making their first Super Bowl appearance. The 49ers posted a 13-3 regular season record, and playoff wins over the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. The Bengals finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, and had postseason victories over the Buffalo Bills and the San Diego Chargers. Joe Montana was named the Super Bowl MVP, completing 14 of 22 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 18 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Stadium: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan Attendance: 81,270 MVP: Joe Montana, Quarterback Favorite: 49ers by 1 Referee: Pat Haggerty National anthem: Diana Ross Coin toss: Bobby Layne Network: CBS Cost of 30-second commercial: US$324,000
Video: Diana Ross performs U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XVI
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