The Greatest National Anthem Performances of All Time

During the first Gulf War and Old Glory flying high in the sky in Tampa.

Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV belted out the greatest performance of her life. When I heard the words and saw the emotion in her spirit my skin had goose bumps, my throat had a lump in it and I have never been more proud of being an American.

Even if the song was pre-recorded, it did not matter. It was the most amazing thing I had ever witnessed at the time.

Maurice Cheeks and Natalie Gilbert

Sometimes a little assist is all you need. Maurice Cheeks knew a thing or two about that in his NBA career.

Cheeks helped the teen through the rendition when at a 2003 Portland Trail Blazers game when she forgot the words and got the crowd involved. It was not only moving, but it led to the entire arena joining in to help the girl through her mishap.

Truly amazing.

Wayne Messmer, 1991 NHL All Star Game

The 1991 NHL All Star game was played just two days after the initial air strikes began in the Gulf War. Fans were so engrossed in patriotism that the screams and cheers for USA almost drowned out the stirring rendition.

The game took place in Chicago at Chicago Stadium. Fans held signs and flags and made the event more about the sport than anything else.

Jimi Hendrix

OK, this is at Woodstock, but it has to be added to the list. Hendrix's version still resonates with people who lived in the moment of the 1960s and 1970s.

I never appreciated Hendrix and his great talent until I was older and understood him more.

One of the best conversations I ever heard about Hendrix was actually part of White Men Can't Jump when Sidney Deane, played by Wesley Snipes, and Billy Hoyle, played by Woody Harrelson, got into a conversation about the great guitar player.

"Look man, you can listen to Jimi but you can't hear him. There's a difference man. Just because you're listening to him doesn't mean you're hearing him."

A true legend. And a great performance.

Chuck Mangione

There is something about the melodic sound of a trumpet. Mangione hits the notes just perfectly.

Mangione, a jazz musician who was popular in the early 1980s for songs like "Feels so Good" made everyone in Yankee Stadium feel good during the Game 6 of the ALCS in 2009.

Baseball is our national past time and should be expressed in song and tune.

Marvin Gaye

When Marvin Gaye sang the 1983 National Anthem at the NBA All-Star Game it truly moved people in the arena and those watching on television.

Gaye, a world-renowned rhythm and blues singer, may have been in his element, having the thousands of fans hanging on his every word with the melodic beats behind him.

The Forum in California and home of the "Showtime" Lakers was never the same after that performance.

Whitney Houston

During the first Gulf War and Old Glory flying high in the sky in Tampa.

Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV belted out the greatest performance of her life. When I heard the words and saw the emotion in her spirit my skin had goose bumps, my throat had a lump in it and I have never been more proud of being an American.

Even if the song was pre-recorded, it did not matter. It was the most amazing thing I had ever witnessed at the time.