The final Wild Card game of the NFL postseason will begin with a performance rather than a kickoff, as Grammy-accredited vocalist Norelle Simpson sings the National Anthem before the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Houston Texans on Monday night.
The Steelers have also organized a halftime show for the fans at the stadium, and here’s all you need to know about it.
Steelers-Texans Halftime Show Details
During the halftime of the Steelers’ game tonight, there will be a special drone show to celebrate “the 50th Anniversary of the Terrible Towel.”
However, the Steelers have already announced that the show will take place only if the weather permits. “If conditions are not favorable, the show will not take place,” the franchise wrote on its website.
According to AccuWeather, the temperature in Pittsburgh around halftime is expected to be near 32°F, with a real-feel temperature closer to 23°F. At this point, conditions are not projected to deteriorate further, which means the planned drone show should proceed as scheduled.
While there will not be a traditional live performer for tonight’s halftime show, the Steelers have arranged an exciting national anthem performance for the Wild Card matchup in Pittsburgh.
Why Singing This National Anthem Means So Much to Norelle Simpson
For Simpson, Monday night represents more than just another performance. It is her first Monday Night Football appearance and her first postseason NFL game, milestones she shared with fans on social media ahead of kickoff.
“2026 is taking off with a lot of firsts,” Simpson wrote on Instagram. “My first Monday Night Football game and my very first ever playoff game.”
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She also thanked the Steelers for selecting her as the National Anthem performer for their home playoff game, noting how meaningful it was to be part of such a high-stakes moment. With Acrisure Stadium expected to be filled, Simpson will be delivering her performance in front of more than 68,000 fans and a national television audience.
The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN, but her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” will set the emotional tone long before the first snap.
Who Is Norelle Simpson?
Simpson’s path to the NFL spotlight began years before tonight’s Wild Card showdown. She first built her career as a backup vocalist, earning opportunities to perform alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Rihanna, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj, and John Legend. While supporting those artists on major stages, Simpson continued developing her own voice and eventually released her debut album, A Story About Love, in 2021.
Her connection to the was established years ago. Simpson has performed the National Anthem at multiple league games and previously sang before a Steelers home matchup during a Week 18 contest against the Bengals last January.
She is also one of the rare singers who has appeared at two Super Bowls. In 2020, she was part of Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s halftime show at Super Bowl LIV, and three years later, she supported Rihanna’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII.
Those experiences have prepared Simpson for moments when the spotlight is brightest and the pressure is highest. From Super Bowl halftime stages to NFL playoff nights, she has proven comfortable delivering on the biggest platforms in sports and entertainment.
Now she returns to that stage once again, opening a Wild Card playoff game that will decide who moves on and who goes home. As the Texans and Steelers prepare for a pivotal showdown, Simpson’s voice will be the first thing fans hear as the postseason drama begins.
