CeCe Winans’ Soul-Stirring National Anthem at Lions Game Leaves Fans Worldwide Speechless.QQ
IMAGE: Sep 13, 2009; Green Bay, WI, USA; View of the Green Bay Packers logo at midfield prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-15. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Imagn Images
CeCe Winans Delivers a Thanksgiving National Anthem to Remember at Ford Field
Thanksgiving football in Detroit is always steeped in tradition, but this year’s pregame moment at Ford Field brought something truly special. Before the Lions and Packers kicked off, gospel icon CeCe Winans stepped to the mic and delivered a national anthem that fans, players, and coaches won’t soon forget.
Winans, a Detroit native and gospel music legend, didn’t need vocal gymnastics or dramatic flourishes to make her mark. She kept it classic-steady, powerful, and pitch-perfect.
It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just hit the right notes; it hits the right emotions. And it resonated immediately.
As her voice echoed through the stadium, cameras caught Packers players pausing to take it in, some visibly moved. The energy in the building shifted-calm, respectful, and deeply appreciative. It’s rare to see an anthem performance that unites a crowd like that before a rivalry game, but Winans did just that.
And the internet? It lit up.
Within minutes, social media was flooded with praise. Fans called it “one of the best performances EVER” and “absolutely crushed.”
One post summed up the sentiment perfectly: “CeCe Winans just absolutely slayed the national anthem. One of the best I’ve heard live in a long time.”
Another fan took it a step further, lobbying for her to take on the biggest stage in American sports: “CeCe Winans should do the Super Bowl anthem.”
But perhaps the most powerful reaction came from a Navy veteran who shared, “Brought this 22-year Navy veteran to tears. Wow.” That’s the kind of impact Winans had-not just a great rendition, but one that stirred something deeper.
This moment wasn’t just a one-off surprise. Winans brought a lifetime of musical excellence to the field.
She’s the most awarded gospel artist of all time, with 17 Grammy Awards and 36 Dove Awards to her name. Her roots run deep in Detroit, where she grew up in a large musical family and first rose to fame alongside her brother BeBe Winans.
Her solo career has since flourished, with 14 studio albums and a catalog that includes the beloved duet “Count on Me” with Whitney Houston.
The Lions had announced her appearance earlier this month, billing her as a “renowned gospel musician,” and she lived up to every bit of that title. Detroit doubled down on hometown pride during the day, also tapping Jack White for the halftime show. But it was Winans who set the tone-graceful, grounded, and full of heart.
As she waved to the crowd and exited the field, the applause didn’t stop. Neither did the praise online. In a game day packed with action, it was CeCe Winans’ voice that many fans walked away remembering most.
On a day built around gratitude, her performance was a reminder of how powerful a simple, sincere moment can be-especially when delivered by a legend.
