Boyz II Men’s ‘Monday Night Football’ National Anthem Has Social Media Abuzz

If you grew up in the ’90s, Boyz II Men supplied the soundtrack to your parents’ daily errands. Formed in 1985, the Philadelphia R&B trio still ranks among the most consistently charting bands of all time. So when the four-time GRAMMY winners performed the national anthem before ESPN’s Monday Night Football season opener, a wave of nostalgia quickly spread across the internet.

See Boyz II Men Perform the National Anthem

Excitement is in the air on Monday (Sept. 9) as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to square off against the New York Jets. It’s that time of year when everything still feels possible for NFL fans. (You know, before the first sting of defeat settles in.)

[RELATED: The History of ‘Monday Night Football’ Theme Songs (1970-2024)]

Compounding that excitement was Boyz II Men’s national anthem performance. And despite one X/Twitter user joking of their name change to “Men II Seniors,” the band brought their classic sound to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

It’s not the first time Boyz II Men has captured the nation’s attention with their “Star-Spangled Banner” rendition. You might recall when the “I’ll Make Love to You” hitmakers set social media ablaze with their steamy 2018 performance before the Philadelphia Eagles’ home matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

“How did Boyz II Men make the national anthem sound sexy?” one X/Twitter user wondered.

Will There Be a Reunion?

After a 21-year hiatus, the remaining Boyz II Men lineup of Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman recently reunited with former bandmate Michael McCary. The bass singer joined his “brothers” onstage during the Aug. 30 show of their Las Vegas residency. While he didn’t perform, McCary hinted that this might not be the last fans see of him.

“There will be another day that we’ll all be onstage together, trust me,” said the 52-year-old vocalist. “It’s coming, and I love these guys.”

McCary exited the group in 2003 due to chronic back problems, later diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. He did not publicly reveal his condition until a 2016 appearance on the reality show Iyanla, Fix My Life.

Rumors of infighting swirled around McCary’s departure. However, Shawn Stockman made sure to squash all of that.

““Let me tell you something, all of that s— is wrong. All of it [is] inaccurate, 100%,” he told the Vegas crowd. ““Yes, have we had our disagreements? Yes… But this man is still our brother and will always be our brother ’til the day we die.”

Featured image via YouTube