“NOT THE PLAYER, BUT THE MOTHER WHO BROUGHT THE ENTIRE STADIUM TO A FALL OF SILENCE.” Under the rain at Raymond James Stadium, Shanda Roberts stepped out to the 50-yard line and transformed the familiar national anthem into a rare moment of awakening in an NFL game. She not only sang the national anthem, but poured into each line her faith, her pain, and her journey of surviving domestic violence. In the stands, Buccaneers rookie Elijah Roberts watched his mother with pride, as if time had stopped for that moment. Her steady voice amidst the rain and wind left tens of thousands of spectators breathless, many forgetting their usual cheers. When mother and daughter embraced on the field after the final note, it was no longer a performance—it was a living testament to the power of motherhood and rebirth.
Buccaneers Rookie Elijah Roberts’ Mom Sang The National Anthem While Representing Her Non-Profit
24-year-old NFL rookie Elijah Roberts was a proud son as he watched his mom sing the National Anthem on Saturday, January 3.
Elijah is a defensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and ahead of his team’s game against the Carolina Panthers, his mother, Shanda Roberts, sang a famously difficult song with great confidence.
Despite the rain, Shanda’s radiant talent shone through as she sang the National Anthem from the field of the Raymond James Stadium.
Her performance also put the spotlight on her non-profit, Pain 2 Purpose, which is committed to ending domestic violence.
Watch Shanda Roberts Sing The National Anthem
Writing on her Instagram, Shanda Roberts wrote of her experience singing the National Anthem, writing that she is “Grateful. Humbled. Still in awe.”
She started her post, writing, “Before I thank anyone, I have to thank God.”
Continuing, she wrote, “Thank You, Lord, for keeping me. For steadying my nerves. For reminding me right there on the 50-yard line that You did not bring me this far to leave me. I was nervous, but I prayed. I rebuked every fearful thought, every lie that told me I would fail. And God showed up, just like He always does.”
Thanking those who provided her with the opportunity to sing, she also thanked her son, Elijah, saying, “Thank you for believing in me, for encouraging me, and for always being proud of your mom. Standing there knowing you were watching meant everything.”
She went on to thank her husband, declaring, “I am loved & I thank God for that!”
Concluding her post, she wrote, “This was more than singing the anthem. It was faith over fear. Purpose over doubt. And a reminder that when God opens a door, He also gives you the strength to walk through it.”
Watch her performance, and see her embrace her son on the field after singing the National Anthem, here:
See her full post, which includes video of her performance from the field, here:
Shanda Roberts’ Charity
As she was introduced on the field, her non-profit, Pain 2 Purpose, was mentioned.
Shanda’s non-profit seeks to end domestic violence “by educating the community on the dangers of this epidemic and also offering support and resources to those seeking help.”
In her bio on the Pain 2 Purpose website, Shanda writes, “I was a victim of domestic violence. I say ‘was’ because I am now a survivor! I survived the abuse that could’ve killed me.”
This abuse began when she was 15, but, all these years later, she is now proud to be married to her “soulmate” and living life as a mother to three children.
