Barenaked Ladies bring ‘O Canada’ to Buffalo Bills home opener amid deepening cross‑border tensions
The Buffalo Bills turned their home opener into a rare moment of cross‑border unity Thursday night, inviting Toronto’s Barenaked Ladies to perform “O Canada” before kickoff against the Detroit Lions. The Canadian anthem drew loud cheers inside the new Highmark Stadium, where the Bills have been emphasizing their sizable southern Ontario fan base — roughly […]
Amid growing cross‑border tensions, the Buffalo Bills welcomed the Barenaked Ladies to their home opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The Canadian national anthem, "O Canada," was performed inside the newly opened Highmark Stadium, eliciting enthusiastic applause from a crowd that included roughly 10,000 Canadian season‑ticket holders.
The performance occurred just days after President Donald Trump signed a memorandum that targeted Canadian‑origin goods for removal from U.S. federal procurement, adding to the strain on bilateral relations. Following the Barenaked Ladies, Hawaiian‑born singer Auli’i Cravalho performed the U.S. national anthem, "The Star‑Spangled Banner."
This is not the first time the Bills have played both anthems during games at their Orchard Park home, a tradition that dates back to former owner Ralph Wilson's era. The Buffalo Sabres also perform both national anthems before every home game, reflecting the city's strong ties to Canada. In a notable moment from April, fans completed "O Canada" after the singer's microphone malfunctioned during a Stanley Cup playoff game.
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen contributed to the Bills' 41-31 victory over the Lions, securing their perfect 2-0 start to the season.
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