One thing Americans have deep respect for, besides the flag and their veterans, is the national anthem. The Star Spangled Banner served as the hymns of U.S. officialdom before 1931 and for those of you not familiar with its origins, the lyrics come from the Defence of Fort M’Henry, a poem written in September 1814 by amateur poet Francis Scott Key.
Key witnessed the bombarding of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore and it is this event and the gorgeous U.S. flag that inspired the creation of the lyrics every proud American knows by heart.
The anthem is performed before every significant event, including sports.
As the players of Arundel High School, Maryland, were getting ready for a match, Jackson Dean Nicholson, a senior defensive end, was about to blow everyone’s mind with what is considered by many one of the most touching performances of the national anthem ever.
Instead of letting the hymn be played on loud speakers, he took his helmet off, grabbed his guitar, and let magic unfold in the presence of those who attended the match.
His incredible performance spread on the Internet like a wild fire and people praised him for his singing abilities and his courage to stand in front of so many people and undertake such a demanding and significant task.
This performance took place back in 2018, but the fact that it is still relevant today speaks of how much people loved it.
“It was very cool. I probably knew 90 percent of the people sitting in those stands, and they had no idea I was doing it ‘til I brought my guitar out,” Nicholson, who took the stage name Jackson Dean since he went viral explained to the Baltimore Sun.
As of his football career, he said at the time, “This is my last year, then I’m done. I’ve got until January, I’ll have all my credits done, and I only have to be enrolled for this semester. I got a waiver by my principal and she’s very supportive of what I do. I’m going to go for it.”
Nicholson has been writing and singing songs since he was a freshman, and around the time he performed the anthem, he was working on his album.
We wish this young man a successful career in the world of music.
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