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NFL And NBC Choose Hudson For A 'Star Spangled' Task

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By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: January 15, 2009

TAMPA - When Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson takes the microphone to sing the national anthem for Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 in Raymond James Stadium, she will have to reach new heights to top Whitney Houston's 1991 version.

Houston's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV in Tampa turns up in online surveys as the most memorable in Super Bowl history.

The NFL and NBC announced Wednesday that Hudson, a 27-year-old Grammy nominee, former "American Idol" finalist and "Dreamgirls" star, would sing.

It could be an emotional moment for Hudson, who has not appeared in public since her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were slain in Chicago in October. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged in the killings.

The country was emotional in 1991 because of patriotic fervor over the Gulf War. Although she was lip-syncing her recording, Houston, backed by The Florida Orchestra, struck a nerve. Released as a single, her version made it to No. 20 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100, the first time the anthem became a pop hit.

Tampa's other Super Bowls featured the Backstreet Boys (Super Bowl XXXV in 2001) and Barry Manilow (Super Bowl XVIII in 1984).

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654 or wbelcher

@tampatrib.com.

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