Early Outback Bowl win for South Carolina: Darius Rucker to sing anthem, trumps Kid Rock, Madonna

  • Gene Sapakoff
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  • Posted: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:41 p.m.
    UPDATED: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 12:07 a.m.
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metro - Darius Rucker performs with Hootie and the Blowfish during an August 15, 2008 show. (Alan Hawes/staff) ¬ ¬ Published Date 9/24/2008: Darius Rucker performs with Hootie & the Blowfish during an Aug. 15 show. Buy this photo

South Carolina is favored in the Outback Bowl against Michigan, and the Gamecocks got another boost with the announcement from Tampa that USC graduate Darius Rucker will sing the national anthem at the Jan. 1 football game at Raymond James Stadium.

Sure, Rucker as Hootie and the Blowfish frontman and as a chart-topping country singer, is immensely popular.

But consider Michigan music history and contributions ranging from Motown to Madonna (born in Bay City), Eminem and Kid Rock.

Other rock? How about Alice Cooper, Bob Seger and Ted Nugent?

Rucker, however, is well-known as a sports fan. The Charleston native often wears Gamecocks gear at shows and for promotional photos. He has appeared as a “guest picker” on ESPN “GameDay” programs.

Rucker’s third country album, titled “True Believers,” is due out Jan. 22.

Follow Gene Sapakoff on Twitter @sapakoff

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