Jamal Roberts, the winner of American Idol season 23, reached another major milestone on Monday night as he performed the national anthem ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami Gardens.
The 28-year-old singer from Meridian, Mississippi, delivered The Star-Spangled Banner before kickoff between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes. His performance took place on one of the most prominent stages in American sports.
Roberts gained nationwide recognition during his Idol run for his gospel roots and emotional performances. His authenticity resonated strongly with viewers, leading to a record-breaking 26 million votes in the season finale, the highest total in the show’s history.
Jamal Roberts just sang the National Anthem beautifully 👏 pic.twitter.com/2Go8X0bVfP
— Unfazed Sports (@UnfazedSports) January 20, 2026Since his victory, Roberts has continued to build momentum in the music industry. His debut single Heal topped Billboard’s Gospel charts, and his collaboration with Jonathan McReynolds earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song. He currently attracts more than 115,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Before pursuing music full-time, Roberts worked as a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School. His anthem performance marked another step in a career that continues to rise rapidly.
During the ceremony, 18-year-old Maria Pernalete interpreted the anthem in American Sign Language. The pregame program also featured the Florida Memorial University Ambassador Chorale performing “America the Beautiful,” with ASL interpretation by Brianna Therve.
