State Rep. Mike Loychik says ‘there’s no such thing as a ‘Black national anthem’

State Rep. Mike Loychik, R-Bazetta, is getting some pushback and national attention for a “tweet” he posted on social media’s X app criticizing the NFL for allowing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of pre-game festivities to Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday in Las Vegas.

“There’s no such thing as a “black national anthem.” We are all AMERICANS, united by our great and beautiful Star Spangled Banner. The Super Bowl is supposed to bring us together. It’s a disgrace that the NFL decided to push the politics of racial division again,” Loychik tweeted while the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were squaring off for the league championship.

Loychik is challenging incumbent state Sen. Sandra O’Brien for her 32nd Ohio Senate District Seat in the March 19 Ohio Republican primary. Loychik is giving up his seat in the 65th House District which he has served the citizens of northern Trumbull County for two terms.

The 32nd Senate District takes in all of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties and most of Geauga County.

Loychik’s controversial post has stirred about 650 responses on the former Twitter by Monday morning. The responses represented the entire gamut of the political spectrum.

The post also was picked up by Fox News.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was performed at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas by Andra Day and was met with a rousing ovation from the fans in attendance.

According to a website, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a prayerful hymn with lyrics by James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. Both lived in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The hymn is a prayer of thanksgiving, faithfulness and freedom with imagery that evokes the Old Testament book of Exodus.