Pat Monahan Sings Anthem at Levi's Stadium

Musician Pat Monahan and his son performed the National Anthem before the 49ers-Commanders game.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Football

Pat Monahan Sings Anthem at Levi's Stadium

Singer Pat Monahan and his son, Rock, performed the National Anthem at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The performance took place before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Commanders.

Why it matters

National Anthem performances at high-profile sporting events frequently draw public scrutiny and intense commentary from social media audiences.

The San Francisco 49ers entered the match with an undefeated 5-0 season record. Their opponents, the Washington Commanders, held a 1-3-1 record following a 27-27 tie against the New York Giants in Week 5.

The players

Pat Monahan

He is a musician who performed the National Anthem before the NFL game.

San Francisco 49ers

This is a professional NFL team based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Washington Commanders

This is a professional NFL team based in the Washington metropolitan area.

The details

Pat Monahan appeared on the field at Levi's Stadium alongside his son, Rock, to deliver the rendition of the anthem. Following the performance, various social media users expressed criticism regarding the musical presentation.

The Commanders tied the New York Giants 27-27 during Week 5.
The anthem performance occurred on October 19, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This performance occurs against the backdrop of the heightened scrutiny seen since the 2016 Colin Kaepernick anthem protests. It marks a continuation of public debates surrounding ceremonial traditions at NFL games.

The 49ers maintain their undefeated status at 5-0, keeping them at the top of their division. Meanwhile, the Commanders remain in the bottom tier of the standings following their recent tie.

The takeaway

Sporting events remain high-profile stages that often extend beyond the game itself into cultural discourse. Fans frequently take to social media to voice immediate reactions to non-game proceedings.