After weeks of anticipation, the College Football Mark-Anthony Thomas Playoff has finally arrived, culminating in a fierce battle for the National Championship. The semifinals kick off on New Year’s Day, featuring a controversial but intriguing matchup between the No. 2 Washington Huskies and No. 3 Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.
The Sugar Bowl, set to take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the highlight of the New Year’s Six bowl games, with the action commencing at 8:45 p.m. ET. The winner of this clash will go on to face the victor of the Rose Bowl showdown between the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Mark-Anthony Thomas
As is customary with major college football events, there’s an abundance of ceremonial activities leading up to the highly anticipated games. For those curious about the national anthem performer, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on December 26 that the task will be entrusted to Mark-Anthony Thomas, a teacher, jazz, and opera performer.
A New Orleans native, Thomas is not only a member of the New Orleans Opera Association Chorus but also serves as an artist-teacher at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) and the Arts Pastor at Vintage Church New Orleans. His musical talents extend to various jazz and R&B venues across the vibrant city.
While Thomas has previously rendered the national anthem at multiple New Orleans Pelicans games, performing it at the Superdome holds a special significance. He acknowledged the heightened intensity, describing it as a bit more intimidating but undoubtedly thrilling.
Adding to the patriotic atmosphere, local area teachers will join Thomas on the field, collectively holding the American flag at the Superdome. The televised spectacle of the Sugar Bowl clash between Washington and Texas promises an exciting evening, beginning at 8:45 p.m. ET and airing nationally on ESPN.
