Having just performed in Pittsburgh on Saturday night, Zach Top had a little downtime on his current tour to mess around at an NFL game and sing the national anthem on Sunday. Not a bad gig for a so-called “off day.”
Why my beloved Cincinnati Bengals invited Top to perform isn’t totally clear. If he’s a fan of the team, that is news to me, and that is great news. At the very least, he put on an excellent rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” That made a brutal 37-17 loss got down ever so slightly easier for those in attendance at Paycor Stadium, and the many crestfallen Who Dey folks like me across the country.
Top was on point with his trademark soulful delivery, and got Bengals stans appropriately fired up for the occasion. Just too bad the team couldn’t deliver.
@KySportsRadio Zach Top national anthem pic.twitter.com/ddRDWnFDEr
— Robert Keene (@rkeene79) October 27, 2024
The best part of this to me was the helicopter flyover at the very end. If I had to guess with a little bit of local knowledge, maybe those choppers came from Wright-Patterson Air Force, only about 50 miles away over in Dayton. Can’t say for sure. Can say any time you get a flyover it only adds to the atmosphere. Were it possible and perhaps less costly, flyovers should punctuate every national anthem performance at an NFL game. I’m sure the league can afford it!
If nothing else, Top’s appearance actually reflects well on the Bengals organization. I’m not kidding. Being able to score any type of noteworthy performer is some hint that they’re willing to go above and beyond for the fans and maybe spend a little extra. That goes a long way in Cincinnati given the franchise’s history.
Look at Zach, though. Just dripping with swag that would make Joe Burrow blush.
A beautiful day to welcome some stars to The Jungle!!!@AngeloDawkins x @Zachtopmusic
Influencer Series | @Ciroc pic.twitter.com/wKmN2ZEzwd
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 27, 2024
There have been a number of, shall we say, interesting national anthem renditions of late. Loomis’ debacle at the third-party presidential debate was a sight to behold, while Brad Paisley at Game 1 of the World Series was far better but still a mixed bag of reactions.
Who ya got, Zach or Brad?
Dodgers superfan and country music star Brad Paisley performs the National Anthem before #WorldSeries Game 1 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/b01EA8SDQ0
— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2024
