Florida A&M University‘s FAMU Marching “100” Band and FAMU Concert Choir are heading to support the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at one of the first NFL games of the season. Learn how they are making history in the process in the release below by Maggie Duffy at the Tampa Bay Times below.
They perform before the Bucs play the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 9.
As anticipation builds for the NFL’s season kickoff game between reigning Super Bowl champs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys, Florida A&M University announced its FAMU Marching “100” Band and FAMU Concert Choir will be performing in Tampa as part of the festivities.
The choir will sing Lift Every Voice and Sing before the game Sept. 9 at Raymond James Stadium. Alicia Keys sang the song, known as the Black national anthem, in a video that was aired during the NFL season kickoff game last year. It hasn’t been performed live in an NFL stadium before. Keys’ video, with updated elements, will play on the videoboards at Raymond James Stadium, then transition to the FAMU Concert Choir’s live performance.
The national anthem will be performed by Michelle Williams, formerly of the R&B supergroup Destiny’s Child.
Fifty members of the “100″ marching band will perform at the 2021 NFL Kickoff Experience, held at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa, before the game at 6 p.m. Ed Sheeran will headline the event, which begins at noon and includes football-themed interactive games, photo opportunities and other activities throughout the day.
“Our Marching 100 members will remind American football fans what it means to be the best band in the land,” director of band Shelby Chipman said in a news release. “We will give them a treat. We are honored to be invited to perform.”
2021 NFL Kickoff Experience performances will air on NBC, Peacock and during the NFL Network’s pregame coverage. A full stream will be available on the NFL’s Facebook page, nfl.com and the NFL app. The Bucs-Cowboys game will be streamed live via nbcsports.com, the NBC Sports app, nfl.com and the NFL app.
Admission to the NFL Kickoff Experience is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The NFL OnePass app is required for admission and is available at nfl.com/kickoff/2021.
Tickets for the game are available at ticketmaster.com. The Raymond James Stadium ticket office is only open on event days. On Sept. 9 the ticket office will open at 5:20 p.m. and is located in the South Plaza between gates C and D.
