Denver Broncos quarterbacks Bo Nix, left, and Jarrett Stidam both played at Auburn before becoming pros in the NFL. Here they are shown leading the Broncos onto the field prior to Monday Night Football’s game in Kansas City. (Photo/Ben Swanson, Denver Broncos)
By Troy Turner
AUBURN — Auburn sports fans had several connections to Monday Night Football’s matchup between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, starting with the national anthem prior to kickoff.
Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Generald Wilson has become a social media sensation after millions of views of his always-powerful performance of the anthem at major sports venues around the nation. Such was the case in January 2025 when he sang at Auburn’s Neville Arena prior to the Auburn-Tennessee basketball game.
The Tigers won the game 55-51 in a defensive slugfest, and later advanced to play in the Final Four.
Action during the 2025 Auburn-Tennessee game, won by Auburn. (Photo/Troy Turner, Aladefense.com)
Auburn’s Paris Buchanan, senior associate athletic director for fan experience and creative strategy, knew beforehand what to expect from Wilson.
“We were thrilled to have Generald Wilson join us to perform our national anthem in front of a sold-out Neville Arena,” he later told AlaDefense.com.
(File photo/Generald Wilson social media)
“We knew that Tennessee would be a pivotal game for us at home. Having worked with Generald prior… at a previous institution, I knew the incredible talent he has and that we had to get him to Auburn,” Buchanan said. “It certainly was well received with the Auburn Family, and to so many who love our country.”
After retiring from active duty with the Navy, Wilson became a human resources specialist with various agencies serving under the Department of Veterans Affairs.
And, he sings.
Wilson is a gospel music artist in addition to his travels singing the national anthem.
Oh, and playing football Monday night? Denver’s starting and backup quarterbacks both played on the gridiron at Auburn during their collegiate careers: Bo Nix and Jarred Stidham.
Former Auburn defensive tackle Marcus Harris was on the roster for the Chiefs.
(Photo/Ben Swanson, Denver Broncos)
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be contacted at [email protected] [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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