‘Welcome to Country’ before NFL match in Melbourne confuses American viewer: ‘Dumb’

A Welcome to Country before the NFL’s Melbourne clash has sparked criticism, confusion and praise online, with one American viewer asking whether the ceremony was the national anthem.

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin delivered the welcome before the Los Angeles Rams faced the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG.

The ceremony prompted contrasting reactions from viewers, with some questioning its inclusion and others celebrating Indigenous culture being shown to an international audience.

‘That lady talking wasn’t the anthem?’ one American viewer asked.

An Australian replied: ‘It’s called “Welcome to Country”, done by members of the local First Nations.’

American NFL commentator and journalist, Jon Root, unleashed over the ceremony.

‘The Rams vs 49ers Netflix game started with the Australian version of a “Land Acknowledgment”…

‘An ancestor of an Aboriginal tribe performed a “Welcome to Country”, which has been done at almost all pro Australian sports over the last few decades.

Onee American viewer asked if it was Australia’s national anthem

Jon Root, an American sports commentator and journalist,  unleashed over the ceremony and said it was dumb

‘This is just as dumb as doing The Black National Anthem.’

Some Australian viewers also objected, with one writing: ‘How embarrassing. An American sport, and we’re still sitting through a Welcome to Country. #NFLMelbourne’

Another said: ‘given the teams are actually international visitors, this is one of the few sporting events where a welcome to country is actually reasonable’. 

But other viewers welcomed the ceremony, including one who wrote: ‘I can’t believe I’m watching a Welcome to Country on an NFL game right now. Wow, this is so beautiful.’

Another Australian said the moment put Indigenous culture on display for a global audience, writing: ‘Australian Indigenous culture on display for Rams v 49ers. Aunty Joy with the Welcome to Country.’

The wider pre-game presentation also drew praise, with one viewer applauding the Welcome to Country alongside the Australian and American national anthems, a September 11 remembrance and an air force flyover.

While the NFL posted highlights from the pre-game ceremony on social media, including both national anthems, it did not share the Welcome to Country, prompting some fans to ask why.

Friday’s Rams-49ers fixture marked the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, with the Melbourne match streamed on Netflix. Match and broadcast details

The broader opening presentation also attracted praise from an Australian viewer who highlighted the ceremonies representing both countries.

‘Incredible scenes,’ they wrote.

‘Amazing opening ceremonies. Welcome to Country. Both anthems for Australia and America performed well. The 9/11 remembrance. Performers, dancers and bands.’

‘To top it off – the airforce with a fly over.’

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