Why does every game seem to start with the national anthem?

SportsWhy do we sing the national anthem before sports? It goes back to one World SeriesLauren Hart sings the national anthem before an NHL hockey game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Minnesota Wild, Nov. 3, 2026, in Philadelphia. Playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before sporting events is a tradition with deep ties to American history. A memorable performance during the 1918 World Series helped connect the national anthem with sports. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)AP Photo/Derik HamiltonBefore the opening kickoff, first pitch or tipoff, Americans are often asked to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” But the national anthem did not begin as a sports tradition. Its words came from the War of 1812, when Francis Scott Key watched the British attack Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Seeing the American flag still flying inspired the poem that became the song, according to the Smithsonian Institution. More than a century later, another war helped connect the song to sports. During Game 1 of the 1918 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, a military band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the seventh-inning stretch at Comiskey Park. The United States was fighting World War I, and the baseball season had even been shortened by the war, according to MLB’s history of the tradition. MLB reports that players turned toward the flag as the music began. Red Sox player Fred Thomas, who was serving in the Navy, stood at attention and saluted. Fans joined in, and the stadium erupted when the song ended. The moment proved so popular that the anthem was played again during the Series, helping create a tradition that eventually spread throughout American sports. “The Star-Spangled Banner” did not officially become the national anthem until 1931, according to the Smithsonian. The ritual also has become a place for debate. National discussions about patriotism and protest have repeatedly reached the playing field, and the issue surfaced again during the 2026 WNBA Finals. USA Today reported that the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries faced online criticism over not being on the floor during the anthem. USA Today reported on the controversy, while other reporting noted the WNBA had suspended enforcement of its anthem protocol years earlier. That debate shows why a routine that lasts only a few minutes can carry so much meaning. For some, it is a show of patriotism. For others, it provides a visible moment for expression or protest. Either way, today’s familiar pregame ritual owes much of its place in American sports to a wartime World Series more than a century ago, according to the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by AL.com staff.