Gladys Knight singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, address Colin Kaepernick

The NFL announced today that Gladys Knight would sing the national anthem during the pre-game Super Bowl LIII. Following this announcement, Knight shared a statement in response to VarietyThe "question about his position regarding Colin Kaepernick's treatment by the NFL," the former NFL quarterback and political activist who was blacklisted by the league because of his peaceful protests against police brutality.

"I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting against two things, which are police violence and injustice," Knight said. Variety. "It is unfortunate that our national anthem has been drawn into this debate while the distinctive meanings of the national anthem and the fight for justice must be taken in isolation." Read the full statement.

Knight went on to mention his own story of activism and his hopes for unity:

I am here today and Sunday, February 3 to return to the anthem his memory.
voice, to represent this historic choice of words, the way it unites
us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and
struggles I fought long and hard all my life, to walk
in the corridors, to walk with our social leaders, to use my
voice for good – I've been to the forefront of this battle any longer
that most of those who express their opinions to win the right to sing our
the national anthem on a stage as big as the Super Bowl LIII.

It does not matter who chooses to deviate with this story and continue to
mix these two in the same message, it is nothing and can not be done in a way
by anyone who speaks it. I pray that this national anthem brings us
all together in a way never seen before and we can go from the front
and unravel those truths that matter so much to us all.

In September, it was revealed that Maroon 5 would be leading the halftime show. Travis Scott and Big Boi have also been confirmed as guest acts. Despite the boycott of the show by many artists, Travis has agreed to perform as long as the NFL joins him in donating to the Dream Corps social justice organization. Colin Kaepernick has since expressed his opposition to the performance.

Last year, Pink launched the Super Bowl with the national anthem (despite the flu). In previous years, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel and many others took over.