Garth Brooks sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXVII after some controversy 1993

Less than an hour before he was scheduled to sing he National Anthem at Super Bowl XXVII January 31, 1993, Garth Brooks left the stadium, since NBC was not going to air his song/video for We Shall Be Free.  NBC said it was too "controversial" and weren't going to air it.  Finally, NBC came to their senses and played the song.  Garth performed the National Anthem with actress Marlee Matlin.

Michael Jackson performed the halftime show.

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 52-17 that day.

Garth Brooks " We Shall Be Free" wins Video of the Year 1993

Garth Brooks video from his single We Shall Be Free won Video of the Year, May 11, 1993 at the 28th Academy of Country Music Awards.  It rose to #12 on the Billboard Country charts, making it his first single to miss the top ten, due to being banned from some radio stations.  I guess its message of love, forgiveness and tolerance was too much for the good, ol' white boy establishment.

Way to go, Garth!!

I could not find a clip of the actual video to post, but the song's words are powerful enough.  You can view it on-line, but here is his performance of We Shall Be Free on the Muppet Show.

Happy birthday, Garth Brooks!

Garth Brooks, born February 7, 1962, in Tulsa, Oklahoma!