HOUSTON — Ahead of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship Game, fans will hear a familiar voice performing the national anthem.
GRAMMY award winner Fantasia will perform the "Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the clash between the University of Washington and the University of Michigan. A former winner of famed reality show "American Idol," Fantasia was recently nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her work as an actress in "The Color Purple."
Drummers from both teams' bands will also be part of the national anthem performance. Along with Fantasia, a 12th-grade student from nearby Deer Park, Texas will perform both the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "America The Beautiful" in American Sign Language (ASL).
In the hours leading up to the game, the Championship Tailgate will host a free outdoor concert in the lots outside NRG Stadium, featuring country music star Walker Hayes and Alli Walker. The concert can be found in Blue Lots 16, 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. CT to 6 p.m. CT for those attending the game in Houston.
Another aspect of the pregame festivities will be the recognition of the State Teacher of the Year from each of the 50 U.S. states and territories. Washington's winner for 2023 was Dana Miles from the Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver.
The Huskies are looking to win the school's first national championship in the College Football Playoff era, with the last UW title coming in 1991.
The Michigan Wolverines, UW's opponent Monday, will become a conference rival of the Huskies beginning in the fall of 2024 when Washington begins play in the Big Ten.