Gladys Knight 'Proud' to Sing National Anthem at 2019 Super Bowl

The NFL announced Thursday that Gladys Knight will sing the national anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl LIII.

According to NFL.com, Knight said the following regarding the honor: "I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country in my hometown of Atlanta. The NFL recently announced their new social justice platform Inspire Change, and I am honored to be a part of its inaugural year."

The 74-year-old Knight is an Atlanta native who is known as The Empress of Soul by virtue of her long and successful musical career.

She is a seven-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although she is best known as an R&B, gospel, soul and pop singer.

Knight joins a long line of superstar musicians who have sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl, including Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston and Lady Gaga, among others.

Other performers slated for the Super Bowl include Maroon 5, Travis Scott and Big Boi, who will take the stage for the halftime show.

Much controversy has been raised about the performers this year in light of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protests against social injustice and racial inequality during the national anthem.

Of note, Rihanna, Cardi B and Jay-Z have rejected the NFL's offers to perform at Super Bowl halftime shows in support of Kaepernick, who has filed a collusion case against the NFL. The 31-year-old has not been able to find work in the league since 2016.

Per Jem Aswad of Variety, Knight released a statement regarding Kaepernick:

"I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice. It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.

"I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life..."

Super Bowl LIII will take place Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.