National anthem singer gives his best for Packers, Taylor Swift
GREEN BAY ‒ Singing the national anthem Sunday at Lambeau Field was everything Ben Tajnai expected it to be.
"It was freezing cold, but not even that bad," he said.
The difference between this and other anthems, however, was that worldwide singing sensation Taylor Swift was in the audience, albeit high up in a suite above Reggie White's name on the Lambeau Field bowl's façade. Tajnai did not get an opportunity to invite her to sing with him, as he threatened to do if they ran into each other.
"She better be calling me tonight for selfies," he joked as he left the field before kickoff.
The Green Bay Packers played the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, with the Packers pulling off a 27-19 upset victory against the defending Super Bowl champions. Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, is a tight end and one of the stars of the Kansas City team.
Swift wasn't the only celebrity in the audience Sunday. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, whose husband, Jonathan Owens, plays for the Packers, actor and Green Bay native Tony Shalhoub, and WWE superstar Liv Morgan also attended the game.
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Tajnai, who has sung the national anthem for the Packers, Brewers and Bucks, including four previous times at Lambeau Field, rated the experience as "perfect." Several of his flourishes drew cheers from the crowd.
As he exited the field near the 30-yard line, Tajnai was swarmed by his own fans congratulating him on his performance, although they were an order of magnitude fewer than Swift's.
"It was awesome. I gave it a little bit extra tonight," he said, referring to Swift's attendance. "The crowd was electric. "
Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ben Tajnai gave the national anthem something extra for Taylor Swift
