The Buffalo Bills will play both the American and Canadian national anthems before their first game at the new Highmark Stadium, the franchise has announced.
The Bills open life in their new $2.1 billion stadium in Week 2, hosting the season's first Thursday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions.
Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Disney's Moana and a lifelong Bills fan, will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner," while Canadian rock band The Barenaked Ladies will perform "O Canada."
"For the first time in Highmark Stadium history, we will celebrate the American and Canadian anthems during pregame," the team announced.
The move is not unusual in Buffalo. The city's hockey team, the Sabres, also owned by the Pegula family, performs the Canadian anthem before every game.
Given its close proximity to the border, Buffalo has a substantial Canadian fanbase, including numerous season ticket holders. As a result, the decision was largely well received by fans in and around the city.
Backlash from fans
The plan drew a strong backlash from fans elsewhere, many of whom objected to a national anthem other than the American one being played before an NFL game in the United States.
"Why a Canadian anthem? Is one of the teams from Canada?" one fan asked. Another wrote: "Why? The reason they do the Canadian in hockey is half the league is Canadian. I understand Buffalo is close to Canada has Canadian fans but I don't think it's necessary."
"This is America, why in the world are we playing the Canadian anthem?" another fan wrote. "I wouldn't expect Canada to play the American anthem at their hockey games. So why are we playing their anthem? They don't even play football!"
Other comments were more biting. "Can't wait to root for every team playing the Buffalo Canadians this year," one fan wrote, while others called the decision "ridiculous," with one adding: "WHAT? Wow! So done with the Bills! This is the last straw for me."
One fan tied the criticism to the ongoing trade war and tensions between the United States and Canada, describing the anthem plan as a "slap in the face to every American business owner who has become victim to politics."
Another comment read: "This is a very bad look by the Bills organization in light of the current political landscape but thank you for at least showing your true colors for the rest of the country to see! This team deserves that trainwreck that's coming this season."
"Did the Bills move to Canada?" another fan asked, while one added: "Come on, the Canadian Bills fans are good people but, we don't need to hear their song. Do better Buffalo."
Canadian players on the roster
The Bills also have three players on their roster with Canadian citizenship. Wide receiver Josh Palmer and linebacker Michael Hoecht were both born in Ontario, while tight end Dalton Kincaid holds both American and Canadian passports.
Buffalo begins its season on the road against the Houston Texans on Sunday at 1pm ET, before returning home four days later for the first game at Highmark Stadium and the dual anthem performance.
