Ah, but the Wikipedia page about "God Bless America" gives this info:

Later, from December 11, 1969, through the early 1970s, the playing of Smith singing the song before many of home games of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers brought it renewed popularity (as well as a reputation for being a "good luck charm" to the Flyers), long before it became a staple of nationwide sporting events. The Flyers even brought Smith in to perform live before the final game of Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 19, 1974, and the Flyers won the Cup that day.

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