Overview
- Accompanying himself on electric piano, Puth built to a choral climax as four military jets flew over Levi’s Stadium, with deaf artist Fred Beam performing in American Sign Language.
- Unofficial timers put the rendition at roughly 110–111 seconds, comfortably under sportsbook over/under lines that fell to about 116.5 before kickoff.
- Reactions ranged from applause for a polished, pitch-accurate delivery to unverified claims on social media alleging lip-syncing or heavy vocal processing.
- After the broadcast, Puth said the arrangement was a deliberate tribute to Whitney Houston and publicly thanked the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Sainted Choir, the Color of Noize Orchestra, Steve Hackman, Kenny G and musical director Adam Blackstone.
- In pregame interviews, Puth said he pursued the role by recording a Rhodes-backed demo for Roc Nation that he was told reached Jay-Z and NFL leadership for approval.