Philadelphia Flyers Legends: Kate Smith

Kate Smith was the Philadelphia Flyers secret weapon in 1974-75 when they won the first of their two Stanley Cups.

The Philadelphia Flyers were the first expansion team to win a Stanley Cup, and there were a lot of standout stars that contributed to that Cup win on May 19, 1974. Foremost among the stars shining at that game was Kate Smith with a live performance of “God Bless America” before the game.

Smith and her rendition of that patriotic tune are the stuff that legends are made of. The story of how she became the good luck charm of the Broad Street Bullies is folklore in Philadelphia. Even now, all these years later, the Flyers will break out Smith’s rendition when they feel they need some extra good karma.

An Unlikely Broad Street Bully

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In 1969, then Flyers vice president of business operations Lou Scheinfeld had noticed that fans weren’t paying attention during the national anthem.

Even after he had been shot down by Ed Snider,  Scheinfeld decided to try a different song. Smith’s recording of “God Bless America” made its Spectrum debut on December 11, 1969. The Flyers, who had won just one game in their previous nine, defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3.

Snider was not impressed until fans came up to his suite at the Spectrum, and let him know that they loved the idea of a Flyers anthem. The team itself would use Smith when they needed a spark.

They used their good luck charm sparingly for fear if drying up the good fortunes she brought them. A record of 19-1-1 over the next three seasons after Smith was played soon had everyone believing in the magic.

Promotions director Jay Seideman had his eye on a live performance, but her agent was wary. As it turned out, Smith had an uncle who lived in West Philadelphia, and he sent her newspaper articles that declared she was helping the Flyers win.

Eventually, she overruled her agent and made her way from New York to Philadelphia to sing “God Bless America” live for the Flyers home opener versus the  Maple Leafs on October 11, 1973.

Kate Smith: Cup Winner

Smith’s most famous appearance at the Spectrum was prior to Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals. Bostn Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr and center Phil Esposito tried to grab some of that luck for their team by sneaking a handshake with Kate after her performance, to no avail.

The Flyers beat the Boston Bruins 1-0 and won the series and the Stanley Cup, four games to two.  Smith’s name might not be on that Stanley Cup, but her name is certainly etched into Flyers history.

Smith passed away on June 17, 1986. Ed Snider, who initially was not in favor of Kate Smith being a part of the Flyers pre-game ceremony was a pallbearer at her funeral. The Flyers current anthemist, Lauren Hart, will occasionally perform a split screen ‘digital duet’ of “God Bless America”, most famously during the Flyers 2010 appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.