For the past five decades, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have participated in the Super Bowl, flying over stadiums during the national anthem performance.
» RELATED: Atlanta's own Gladys Knight will sing national anthem at Super Bowl 53
This year's flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, who will take off from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, and the fighter pilots of the renowned air demonstration squadron are relying on Gladys Knight to help execute it perfectly.
Lt. Col. Eric Gorney told "CBS This Morning" he'd be in the control room Sunday with a spreadsheet, "hacking the clock at the end of each line of the national anthem to make sure we're on time."
He’ll be waiting on Knight to recite the last few lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner”: “O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.”
“I'm reliant on Gladys Knight to execute on script on time,” Gorney said. “The first thing to remember is we're going 400 mph. So we can't just stop and hover. ... We have started flying in about a minute prior to the national anthem even starting.”
The soul singer, who also chatted with “CBS This Morning,” said she will get the timing down.
“I say I'm gonna do it, and you guys will know exactly when I'm gonna do this line right here,” Knight laughed.
Although the Thunderbirds, Knight and other coordinators are working to conduct a seamless flyover, fans inside the stadium may not get to see it.
The NFL has yet to determine whether the roof will be open. It could be a game day decision and will be based on the weather.
» RELATED: Will stadium roof be open or closed for Super Bowl?
About the Author
