The NFL have divided opinion online after announcing 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' would be played at this year's Super Bowl.
The song has been played at every Super Bowl since 2020, having previously been named the 'Negro National Anthem' by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in 1919.
Grammy-winning R&B singer Andra Day is set to perform the song this year.
The tune references slavery and the hope for liberation, while it was also later adopted as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights movement.
NFL will host the Super Bowl on February 11 with millions from all over the world set to tune in
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Some fans feel, however, that the song divides America - instead of uniting the country.
"Bro, we're American. Why do we need Lift Every Voice and Sing?" said one user.
"This is the US. We have 1 National Anthem and that is the only one which should be sung," fumed a second.
A third said: "Just one more reason the NFL is insufferable. We have ONE national anthem in America…The Star Spangled Banner."
A fourth fan weighed in by saying: "Everyone should make a clear example here and boycott the superbowl."
And a fifth said: "Another reason to not watch this event. The NFL are such pandering sellouts."
Others, however, feel it's the right decision to play the song.
"Keep crying about a song with the nickname 'the black national anthem'," said one user.
"But you all will still attend, buy merch, and watch… so stop closet complaining!" fumed another.
A third questioned the backlash by saying: "How can a song 14 years before the Star Spangled Banner was adopted divide?"
And a fourth defended the decision by saying: "It is a great song. I am perfectly happy with it being sung at the Superbowl. The National Anthem should also be sung."
The NFL started to play ' Lift Every Voice and Sing' following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, sparking huge anger from all around the world.
The song, originally a hymn, was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900.
The US was, at the time, in the early years of the civil rights movement.
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The NFL has caused controversy with the 'black national anthem' to be played before this year's Super Bowl
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Johnson, per Business Insider, originally wanted to pen a poem in commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
However, having been galvanised by African Americans' fight for equality, he opted to go down a different route instead.
The song was first recited by a group of 500 students at a segregated school 124 years ago.
Andra Day is set to perform 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' at this year's Super Bowl
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A third said: "Just one more reason the NFL is insufferable. We have ONE national anthem in America…The Star Spangled Banner."
A fourth fan weighed in by saying: "Everyone should make a clear example here and boycott the superbowl."
