Buffalo Bills to play US and Canadian anthems at home opener
The team will play both anthems for the first time as it expands efforts to reach Canadian fans, including three radio markets, officials said.
- On Thursday, Sept. 13, the Buffalo Bills will perform both American and Canadian national anthems at Highmark Stadium before facing the Detroit Lions, with Auli Cravalho singing "The Star Spangled Banner" and The Barenaked Ladies performing "O Canada."
- The decision follows an August radio network expansion into Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. Pete Guelli, Bills president of business operations, said, "Canada has always held a special place in the Buffalo Bills organization."
- While rare for the NFL, performing both anthems is standard for hockey teams with cross-border rosters. "O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem in 1980, with music by Calixa Lavalle and lyrics by Adolphe-Basile Routhier.
- The Detroit Lions, based across the Detroit River from Windsor, Ontario, have not indicated plans to adopt similar dual-anthem protocols, confirming The Bills' move is unilateral.
- Tensions exist between the United States and Canada following President Donald Trump's executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, though Canadian officials stated they will continue referring to it as Lake Ontario.
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