Sports · American Football · 7 hrs ago
Electric-guitar anthem performance draws criticism before Bills-Vikings game
John Jeffers performed the US national anthem on electric guitar before the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings played in Minneapolis.
The performance took place at US Bank Stadium ahead of the teams’ Monday night game.
Jeffers is known as a childhood friend of former Vikings player Adrian Peterson.
Many NFL fans criticized the guitar rendition on social media, calling it one of the worst they had heard.
Some said the anthem should be treated with respect, and several mentioned Veterans Day, which was approaching.
The controversy drew attention before the game, but the Minnesota crowd stayed loud as the teams kicked off.
John Jeffers performed the US national anthem on electric guitar before the Buffalo Bills played the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Fans criticized the rendition on social media, with some calling it one of the worst national anthems they had heard.
Jeffers is described as a childhood friend of former Vikings player Adrian Peterson.
The Minnesota crowd remained loud as the teams began their Monday night game.
- Who
- John Jeffers performed the anthem before the Bills-Vikings game.
- What
- His electric-guitar rendition of the US national anthem drew criticism from fans online.
- When
- Before the teams’ Monday night game; the article was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
- Why
- The performance was intended to hype up the home crowd. Fans criticized its style and said the anthem should be respected.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
John Jeffers performed the national anthem on electric guitar at US Bank Stadium.
Fans posted criticism of the rendition on social media.
The Bills and Vikings began their game as the Minnesota crowd remained loud.
- Performer
- John Jeffers
- Performance
- Electric-guitar rendition of the US national anthem
- Venue
- US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
- Teams
- Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings
- Article publication
- November 10, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
That was a terrible National Anthem for the Bills game.
Let’s honor our veterans before Veterans Day by playing the worst national anthem ever.
Fire the idiot who hired the guitarist to play the national anthem tonight at the Buffalo/ Vikings game. That was hideous. Our national anthem should be respected, not trivialized.
That was possibly the worst national anthem in 25 years. And on a week where we have Veterans Day no less. Sad.