Husband-Wife Duo's Spellbinding National Anthem Leaves NFL Fans in Awe

On November 18, 2025, the husband-and-wife musical act The War and Treaty captivated NFL fans with their rendition of the national anthem ahead of the Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders. The duo, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, opted for a scaled-back, spellbinding version of the "Star-Spangled Banner," with their interwoven harmonies accompanied simply by an electric guitar.

The performance left fans in awe, with many branding it one of the best they had ever heard. Viewers praised the group's soulful and emotive delivery, with one fan describing it as "the most beautiful rendition" they had ever witnessed. The War and Treaty's rendition was in stark contrast to the controversial performance of the national anthem at the NFL's international game in Madrid the previous day, which had drawn criticism for the singer's revealing outfit.

Founded in 2014, The War and Treaty have been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and ACM Awards. The duo's success is even more remarkable given Michael Trotter Jr.'s background as a former US Army member stationed in Iraq, where he taught himself to play music on one of Saddam Hussein's pianos.