Aretha Franklin was Detroit.
The legendary soul singer called the Motor City home from the age of five until her death Thursday. So it was only fitting that the Lions called upon her services to sing the national anthem prior to kickoff of their game against the Vikings on Thanksgiving Day in 2016.
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Like the seasoned veteran she was, Franklin took everyone in attendance to church that day, delivering a stirring, gospel-infused rendition of the "The Star-Bangled Banner." Franklin even embodied the 313's classic style dressed fresh in a chinchilla fur and a Lions Beanie.
Sure, she ate up a ridiculously long 4:35, but when you've got 112 charted singles on Billboard and have won 18 Grammy awards, you don't have to pay the clock any attention.
Witness her greatness in all its glory.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect Franklin's death on Aug. 16, 2018.