The wait for football that counts in the standings is over. As a follow-up to last night’s primetime clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs square off with the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil tonight. Part of the lead-up to the matchup will be the national anthem. Who will perform before kickoff?
NFL Reveals National Anthem Performer for Chiefs-Chargers
Kamasi Washington, a Grammy- and Emmy-nominated American composer and jazz saxophonist, will perform the U.S. national anthem in São Paulo. Local Brazilian star Ana Castela will perform her country’s national anthem.
Washington describes himself as a composer, bandleader, and saxophonist. A native of Los Angeles, he attended UCLA and played saxophone on Kendrick Lamar’s album “To Pimp a Butterfly.” Lamar also mentioned Washington in his song, “Squabble Up.”
Lamar, a fellow Los Angeles native, is one of the most widely known rappers in the world and performed at last season’s Super Bowl halftime show.
“The kind of music I make is not necessarily associated with dance, even though I feel like the more expression in the music, the more it can inspire you to move,” Washington said in the bio on his website.
For “Becoming,” Washington was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media category in 2021. His piece, “The Garden Path,” was named Best Jazz Record at the 2023 Libera Awards.
What Will Chiefs-Chargers in Brazil Look Like?
As AFC West divisional rivals, the Chargers and Chiefs are opening the regular season against one another for the first time since 2018. The setting will be an unfamiliar one at Arena Corinthians, home to Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. It is the 13th-largest stadium in Brazil.
The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles played at the venue last season.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he is excited to be in Brazil. The team practiced on Wednesday afternoon at Corinthians Training Ground, a nearby soccer facility.
“I’d like to say just how excited we are to be here,” Harbaugh said. “The hospitality is amazing. We just got here this morning, but already at the airport and everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve been made to feel welcome. That motivates us, even on top of the game, which is so big.”
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said it’s his first time in South America.
“To be able to come see the place, experience the culture, and get a feel for it, I’m really excited for it,” Herbert said.
