The NFL canceled the appearance of Christian singer Victory Boyd at the opening season game due to issues concerning whether she had been vaccinated.
Boyd was scheduled to perform the National Anthem at the September 9 season-opening game in Tampa, Florida, when the NFL canceled the appearance. According to emails discovered by the Epoch Times, the NFL's senior director for media and entertainment events told Boyd's father and manager that "As I understand that Victory will not be fully vaccinated by the time of the Kickoff game, she would not have been able to comply with the terms of the Game Day Field Access Policy,"
Due to that lack of vaccination, Victoria would not be able to perform at the stadium.
The policy in question requires that "all individuals accessing the playing field and surrounding sideline areas within the stadium bowl (including individuals involved in-game presentation elements such as the singer of the national anthem) be fully vaccinated." The NFL thus ended the contract after weeks of negotiation alongside a $20,000 performance fee.
When asked why Boyd did not get the vaccine, the singer specifically mentioned her faith as the reason. "I am in prayer to make sure that the Lord guides me into the right decision concerning receiving an unproven injection with artificial properties that can potentially have a long-term effect on my reproductive health. If I want to take the vaccine, the decision will be between myself, my doctor, and my God. At this point, the Spirit of God is leading me to take a stand for freedom of choice."
Boyd also expressed concerns that the NFL's decision to cancel her appearance may herald similar restrictions for other performers appearing at professional sporting events.
Boyd started her musical career as a member of the sibling act Infinity's Song before emerging as a solo artist. In 2017, Boyd released her solo EP It's a New Dawn in partnership with Jay-Z's Roc Nation record label.
