“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
Video of the performance:
AthleticPoetics 