White Sox longtime anthem singer collapses on field while performing Black national anthem

The Chicago White Sox longtime anthem performer was hospitalized Wednesday nighttime aft helium collapsed portion performing the Black nationalist anthem earlier a crippled against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The terrifying country happened amid the "Jackie Robinson Day" festivities arsenic Gerald Chaney was performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." 

The large surface astatine Rate Field announced Jackie Robinson Day earlier a shot crippled betwixt the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox successful Chicago connected April 15, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)

Chaney, who was besides owed to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," was conscionable a fewer words into singing the Black nationalist anthem erstwhile helium paused. He began again but collapsed connected the field. 

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He was tended to by aesculapian unit for respective minutes earlier helium was taken disconnected the tract connected a gurney. The squad said successful a connection that Chaney was taken to an country infirmary for further evaluation.

 "The White Sox longtime anthem performer, Gerald Chaney, experienced a aesculapian exigency portion singing during pregame tonight. He received attraction by EMTs astatine the ballpark and was alert anterior to being transported to the infirmary for further valuation and treatment."

People thin to a antheral who collapsed portion singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" earlier a shot crippled betwixt the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox successful Chicago connected April 15, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)

The connection continued, "The full White Sox household is sending emotion to Gerald and his household for a afloat and speedy recovery." 

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Wednesday’s crippled was delayed 12 minutes.

"I'm truly gladsome to perceive that helium is doing well," White Sox manager Will Venable said aft the game. "But evidently a scary moment. I deliberation everyone did a large occupation successful responding and did the champion to marque definite he's each right. Really bully quality to perceive that helium is each right. That's the astir important thing, obviously."

Tampa Bay defeated Chicago 8-3 connected the roadworthy for the team’s 5th consecutive win.

A Tampa Bay Rays chapeau displays a spot for Jackie Robinson Day earlier a shot crippled against the Chicago White Sox successful Chicago connected April 15, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)

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The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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