With the NFL playoffs in full swing, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commanders have each secured their bid in the conference championship. Now, the Buffalo Bills will face off against the Baltimore Ravens for the chance to meet the Chiefs in the AFC title game. Before both teams take the field at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday (Jan. 19) at Highmark Stadium, Lucas West will get things going with the national anthem.
Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens Battle For AFC Title Bid
Despite four appearances, the Buffalo Bills remain winless in the big game. As they look to change that, Fairport, New York native Lucas West will kick off the gametime festivities with his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
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The son of a music teacher, West began taking piano lessons at age 6. Adding multiple instruments to his repertoire over the years, the SUNY Fredonia student now heads up his own jazz-funk band.
West is getting a do-over with today’s performance. The Bills asked him to sing the national anthem prior to their Wild Card matchup against the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, he was in Germany at the time.
“I went on a limb and requested if the divisional game was a possibility,” West said. “They said yes, and I was so excited.”
This Isn’t His First Rodeo
West is no stranger to Highmark Stadium. The college junior also performed the national anthem ahead of the Buffalo Bills’ November 2023 victory against the New York Jets. Now, the diehard fan is hoping his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” will set the tone for a Buffalo playoffs victory.
“Being in the moment, it’s all Bills Mafia, it feels like my family,” West said. “So it’s important for me to internalize that and realize that it’s all people that you could share a drink with, that you could share a meal with, you know? It’s the best part about Buffalo too. It’s really … I don’t feel as nervous when I’m playing there because it just feels like there’s such an atmosphere … it feels like being home.”
He continued, “I’m just going to have a great time, and I’m really excited. I’m going to stay in the moment, stay in the flow of it, just make some music, provide some positive energy for the players and hopefully we can get a win.”
Featured image via Instagram
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