NFL fans were far from impressed by Nathaniel Rateliff’s performance of the national anthem before the AFC Championship game on Sunday.
The Denver-based singer and songwriter was given the honor of performing The Star-Spangled Banner in the moments before kickoff between the Broncos and New England Patriots.
But his performance did not go down well with fans watching on from home with a large number taking to social media to immediately blast Rateliff.
One commented: ‘That was a horrendous performance signing the National Anthem. Good god.’
Another posted: ‘That national anthem weak as f***. NFL gotta cast better singers. Plenty of other amazing country singers out there’.
‘That was top 3 worst national anthem performance I have ever heard,’ claimed a third. ‘That was so cringe.’
NFL fans destroyed Nathaniel Rateliff’s performance of the national anthem before the AFC Championship game
The criticism did not stop there, with another posting: ‘Damn. Nathaniel Rateliff was pitchy as hell on the national anthem. Not even close. I like his music in general but that was awful.’
Another called Rateliff a ‘drunk uncle’ and one shocked viewer told him he ‘needs to practice more’.
Others labeled his performance ‘awful’ while one said ‘the first big surprise of the game is how many people seemed to have enjoyed that rendition of the national anthem.’
Rateliff’s performance concluded with a rousing flyover by the Colorado National Guard and four of their aircraft.
And, despite the criticism, the pre-match spectacle clearly stirred the Broncos fans and fueled their team’s first start to the game as they seek a place in the Super Bowl.
With franchise quarterback Bo Nix watching on after suffering a fractured ankle, his back up Jarrett Stidham threw a first-quarter touchdown to Courtland Sutton to give Denver a 7-0 lead.
To make matters worse for Rateliff, his performance comes seven day after a Chicago legend was credited with delivering ‘the best national anthem of all time’.
Rateliff’s performance concluded with a rousing flyover by the Colorado National Guard
Fans were blown away by iconic singer Jim Cornelison’s ‘powerful’ rendition of the anthem before the Bears’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Cornelison, who has sung the anthem at a number of Bears games in the past, sent fans wild before the game with his sensational rendition in freezing conditions at Soldier Field.
Cornelison has previously performed the Star Spangled Banner at the Bears’ opening home games in 2025, 2019, 2016 and 2011, as well as various playoff games in the 2010-11 and 2025-26 seasons.
The 61-year-old has also sung at Chicago Blackhawks hockey games and the Indianapolis 500, as well as the Arlington International Festival of Racing.
