Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYThu, November 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM UTC·2 min readThe Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are set to close a Thanksgiving Day tripleheader with a game that will help decide whether the Ravens will remain atop the AFC North.
But before that game begins, NFL fans will get a chance to enjoy some of the pregame pageantry Baltimore has in store for them. That will include a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kickstart the holiday game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWho did the Ravens line up to perform the national anthem at their Thanksgiving game? Here's what to know about their choice of anthem singer for their marquee holiday matchup.
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
Thanksgiving 1977 marks the last time that the Dallas Cowboys did not host a Thanksgiving Day game. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Miami Dolphins at Busch Stadium. Quarterback Bob Griese led the Dolphins to a dominating 55-10 win. A year later, the Cowboys were back in the Thanksgiving spotlight, a tradition the franchise hasn't relinquished since.
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
2 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
3 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
4 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
5 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
6 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
7 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
8 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
9 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
10 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
11 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Thanksgiving 1977 marks the last time that the Dallas Cowboys did not host a Thanksgiving Day game. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Miami Dolphins at Busch Stadium. Quarterback Bob Griese led the Dolphins to a dominating 55-10 win. A year later, the Cowboys were back in the Thanksgiving spotlight, a tradition the franchise hasn't relinquished since.12 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
Who is singing the national anthem at Ravens-Bengals Thanksgiving game?
The Ravens announced Nov. 13 that Renée Elise Goldsberry will be performing the national anthem at their Thanksgiving game against the Bengals.
Goldsberry will headline the talent on display in the pregame ceremony while rapper Lil Jon will be the halftime entertainment at Thursday's contest.
Who is Renée Elise Goldsberry?
Goldsberry is an American actress and singer who is most noted for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway production of "Hamilton." Goldsberry won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in that role and also shared the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album with her castmates.
Goldsberry's other notable Broadway credits include originating the role of Nettie Harris in "The Color Purple" and playing Mimi Marquez at the end of the original Broadway run of "Rent."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGoldsberry, 54, began her acting career in 1997 when she held a recurring role on "Ally McBeal." Since then, she has logged numerous television credits, appearing in 272 episodes of the soap opera "One Life to Live" and had recurring roles in "The Good Wife," "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," "Evil" and "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist."
More recently, Goldsberry played Mallory Book in "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" and portrayed the First Lady of the United States in the political apocalyptic thriller "A House of Dynamite."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is the national anthem singer at Ravens-Bengals Thanksgiving game?
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