The day the Super Bowl united a nation

By Tom Quiner

On January 17th, 1991, the United States led a coalition of nations to war against Iraq.

This first gulf war had begun. The Super Bowl was ten days away.

Imagine the security concerns. Would Iraqi operatives attempt an act of terrorism at the Super Bowl? The nation was on edge as our soldiers led the charge against Saddam Hussein and our country took a nervous break from reality for the biggest secular event of the year: Super Bowl XXV.

Something magical happened. In a stroke of genius, the NFL had the late, great Whitney Houston sing the national anthem. There have been few finer renditions than this one.

Ms. Houston was electric. She brought our country together at a time of great peril.

Watch and relive the magic. This is what a Super Bowl should do.