The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship is here! Live from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as fans packed the seats for what they hoped to be a suspenseful game by the two finest college football teams in the nation.
Another major highlight of the event was the pre-game entertainment, a spectacular attraction of performances, particularly for many, the national anthem. With the game in hand, be sure to watch the national anthem in its entirety after the beautiful rendition wowed the crowd in attendance and the millions watching at home.
WATCH: Coco Jones Perform the National Anthem at CFP National Championship
The full length video of Jones performing the national anthem truly captures the awe that fans watched in just moments ahead of the game.
Jones wowed the crowd of over 71,000 fans who packed into the stadium to see the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Who Is Coco Jones?
Jones, an emerging R&B artist, had the honor of singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at this year’s CFP National Championship. She is a 27-year-old Def Jam/High Standardz recording artist from Nashville, Tenn., causing a lot of commotion with her rich voice and moving lyrics. With breakout success, like the Billboard Hot 100 hit single “ICU,” Jones is at the height of fame these days.
In 2024, Jones was nominated for five Grammy Awards, and her song “ICU” won the coveted Best R&B Performance Grammy, solidifying her place as one of the brightest stars in the genre.
READ MORE: Who Is Performing the Halftime Show at the 2025 CFP National Championship Game?
She also received a Best New Artist nomination at the BET Awards and Soul Train Awards, and an Outstanding New Artist award at the NAACP Image Awards, winning all three. Her incredible talent continues to dazzle, this time with a new single — “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” — that has already garnered nominations for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
For the national anthem performance, Jones was joined by accomplished music director/composer Adam Blackstone, renowned for his ability to work under the biggest acts in music to create a very memorable performance.
A Special Tribute to America and the Armed Forces
The national anthem ceremony was officiated by the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the United States Central Command with flags from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Then, in true patriotic spirit, a giant American flag was unfurled by volunteers of the Atlanta community.
As part of the College Football Playoff’s tradition, drummers from the participating team bands also joined the ceremony, further enhancing the sense of unity and excitement. The ceremony was a moving tribute to the nation’s strength and values.
Celebrating Legacy With ‘America the Beautiful’
Before the national anthem, the historic Spelman College Glee Club performed “America the Beautiful.” This legendary choir, celebrating its centennial year, is the oldest collegiate choir of African American women in the United States.
Under the baton of Dr. Kevin Johnson, the Glee Club has not only kept alive the heritage of Black choral music but also inspired generations of young women to share their voices with the world.
Adding to this already unique and touching event, Johrgia Peaches, an eighth-grade student from Newnan, Ga., aged 14, added “America the Beautiful” in American Sign Language.
Alexander Charlot, a 12th-grade student from Monroe, Ga., aged 20, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in ASL. Both students are from the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, which also represents the diversity and inclusion of this year’s National Championship celebration.
Tribute to the U.S. Military and Educators
The CFP paid tribute to the armed forces as part of this event by presenting a special video feed during “America the Beautiful,” featuring U.S. Air Force members abroad, and another video feed of U.S. Army soldiers in Germany during the national anthem. This served as a great tribute to those who have served and continue to sacrifice for our nation and to the importance of this event.
The College Football Playoff Foundation also recognized each U.S. state and territory’s Teacher of the Year, with these exemplary educators being recognized on the field. Such recognition helps raise the stature of teaching as a profession and honors educators who tirelessly dedicate themselves to influencing students’ lives.
A Special Moment for Fans of College Football
The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship pregame ceremony was an extraordinary celebration of music, patriotism, and unity. From Jones’ powerful rendition of the national anthem to the moving performances of “America the Beautiful” and the tributes to the armed forces and educators, this year’s event was one of the most memorable in recent history.
Whether you attended in person or watched from home, this celebration of American culture truly set the stage for an exciting evening of college football action.
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