National anthem protests in the NFL were ongoing after the league's latest reversal in their policy to punish players, but widespread support for the most iconic song in the United States' arsenal remained as strong as ever. From iconic performances put on by Aretha Franklin to historically terrible renditions from Grammy winning artist Fergie, the Star Spangled Banner has been given load of various twists along the way during pregame ceremonies.
When Jackson Dean Nicholson took the field for a high school football game at Arundel High School in Maryland, the senior wasn't just playing his final home game. The country music recording artist was tasked with singing the national anthem, and he put on a jaw-dropping performance for the home crowd in the process.
Wearing full football pads for one of the last times at Carroll Field, Jackson Dean strapped up his acoustic guitar and let loose an unbelievable rendition of the national anthem that you have to hear to believe.
High School Football Player Sings National Anthem
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Yeah, the Odenton, Maryland native has PIPES and having his Arundel Wildcats teammates run out behind him? This entire thing felt like a movie scene that I'm sure Jackson will never forget.
The high school senior's version was uploaded to his Instagram account with the caption:
"Last night was Senior Night. Played Chesapeake and we won 49-21! Last year playing on Carrol Field. Got the chance to sing our National Anthem"
The Arundel football team knocked off the Chesapeake Cougars on that Friday night and finished the year with a 9-2 record. The Wildcats were ranked No. 10 among 4-A football teams in the state of Maryland, according to MaxPreps.
One thing is absolutely clear: if Jackson Dean Nicholson doesn't have a future as a defensive end or a football player, he absolutely has a career in music ahead of him, and this might not be the last time we see this kid with a guitar thrown over his shoulder.
This article was originally published December 20, 2018. We brought it back because, well, it's just too good.
