Esera Tuaolo is no stranger to singing the National Anthem. He’s done so many times, including an NBA game and even singing the Star-Spangled Banner ahead of an NFL game he played in.
A few years ago, Tuaolo got a bit tired of the traditional version of the National Anthem, so he and musician David Feily created a rendition that reflected “triumph,” as well as Tuaolo’s Hawaiian background.
On Sunday, he sang that version for the Minnesota Vikings faithful (as he’d done before), and they went wild.
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One of the elements of Tuaolo’s rendition that jumps out is his oscillation between tenderness and strength. It’s a trademark of his singing style, and it shows up huge here.
It reflects the dichotomy of this incredibly sensitive, hulking man who played nine seasons at defensive end in the NFL, including several with the Vikings.
On social media, fans expressed their love for Tuaolo and his re-imagining of the National Anthem.
Just magnificent….I got goodbumps this moved me so much!!!!
— Don Epstein (@DonEpstein) September 23, 2024
NFL legend and former Tuaolo teammate with the Green Bay Packers Brett Favre even chimed in ahead of the game with his praise with “My guy!!! Greatest voice.”
Tuaolo told Outsports that, after his two-minute performance, he was blessed to receive the ultimate honor: praise from military and Vikings veterans.
“All the veterans loved it,” he said. “They told me it’s different but they loved it. And it meant so much to me, that they loved my rendition of the National Anthem. It puts pride in my heart.”
It’s not lost on Tuaolo — who was a closeted gay athlete while playing for the Vikings — what it means to get such a positive response.
“It gives me great honor to be able to perform the National Anthem before 80,000 people,” he said. “Not only that, but do it in a place where I was in the closet. And have 80,000 people cheering for me. It’s an amazing feeling to see where we’ve come.”
Tuaolo has spent much of his post-NFL career building bridges between communities. His Hate Is Wrong non-profit organization seeks to heighten understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
His work has even earned him the NCAA’s 2024 Inspiration Award.
Tuaolo previously competed on NBC’s ‘The Voice’, where he earned accolades.
Next up? Tuaolo wants to bring his amazing acoustic rendition of the National Anthem to the Super Bowl.
“How cool would it be to have the National Anthem sung by an NFL veteran who played nine years in the league?”
It would be really cool.
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