Gerald Chaney, a longtime anthem singer for the Chicago White Sox, was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night after collapsing on the field during his performance.
The beloved White Sox figure was leading the ‘Jackie Robinson Day’ festivities before their game against the Tampa Bay Rays when he suffered the terrifying medical emergency.
Chaney was a few words into the hymn ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ – which is considered the Black national anthem – when he stopped. He started again and then collapsed.
Emergency medical technicians tended to him for several minutes before he was loaded onto a gurney and taken off the field. The teams watched from their dugouts.
The White Sox later confirmed in a statement that Chaney was alert prior to being transported to hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
‘The entire White Sox family is sending love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery,’ the team’s statement concluded.
Chaney was also scheduled to sing the US national anthem after performing Lift Every Voice and Sing. The start of the game was delayed 12 minutes in total.
A beloved Chicago White Sox anthem singer collapsed while performing on Wednesday
