The national spotlight found Jamal Roberts when he stepped to the microphone to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami Gardens.
Sung before kickoff between Indiana and Miami, the performance marked one of the most high-profile appearances of Roberts’ young career — and unfolded before the largest audience he had ever faced. As the opening notes rang out, the stadium settled into an uncommon stillness, signaling that this was more than a routine pregame tradition.
For many viewers, the anthem served as their first introduction to a singer whose rise over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable. Just months earlier, Roberts, 27, was teaching P.E. classes in Meridian, Mississippi. Now, he stood center stage on one of the most-watched nights in American sports.
Roberts first captured national attention during American Idol Season 23, where he won the competition with a record-breaking 26 million votes, the highest total in the show’s history. His gospel-rooted vocals, emotional delivery, and unmistakable authenticity resonated with audiences week after week, ultimately carrying him past finalists John Foster and Brianna Nix in the three-hour live finale.
That momentum has only grown since his victory. Roberts’ debut single, “Heal,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs and Gospel Digital Song charts. His live collaboration with Jonathan McReynolds on “Still” later earned a GRAMMY nomination, further solidifying his place in contemporary gospel music. Beyond the genre, Roberts expanded his reach by joining Brandy and Monica on select dates of The Boy Is Mine tour, introducing his voice to an even broader audience.
Roberts performed the national anthem on Monday, January 19, 2026, following a pregame ceremony that included a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful” by the Florida Memorial University Ambassador Chorale. The ceremony also featured American Sign Language performances by Brianna Therve and Maria Pernalete, adding an inclusive and deeply moving dimension to the event.
According to USA TODAY, Roberts also made history as the first Black male winner of American Idol since Ruben Studdard in 2003 — a milestone that gave his appearance on such a massive stage added resonance.
When Jamal Roberts finished the anthem, he wasn’t just singing for two teams or a packed stadium. He was performing for millions. And by the final note, even the most football-focused viewers could agree: Roberts didn’t just rise to the moment — he owned it.