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Gerald Chaney collapses at Rate Field
Credit: AP Photo/Erin Hooley; AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
NEED TO KNOW
- Gerald Chaney collapsed while singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in Rate Field, Chicago, on Wednesday, April 14
- Medics treated Chaney on the field before taking him to the hospital
- The White Sox later updated game fans that Chaney was “doing well” as he continued to undergo further evaluation
The longtime national anthem singer for the Chicago White Sox has been taken to the hospital after collapsing mid-song.
Gerald Chaney was singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing" on Wednesday, April 15, at Rate Field when he suddenly paused twice and fell to the ground, according to Major League Baseball (MLB).
Medics at the game against the Tampa Bay Rays immediately assisted Chaney before he was taken away on a stretcher to the hospital for further treatment, per MLB and ESPN.
The White Sox later updated game fans that Chaney was “doing well” as he continued to undergo further evaluation.
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Gerald Chaney collapses at Rate Field
Credit: AP Photo/Erin Hooley
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Chaney sang the song as part of the celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, which falls on April 15 every year to commemorate the day the baseball legend made his major league debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Chaney was also due to sing the national anthem.
“I kind of just saw what you guys all saw, kinda saw him go down," White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke told MLB about the incident, which happened as he was warming up in the bullpen. "They said he's doing well at the hospital now so hopefully he's going to make a full recovery from that.”
“I was just trying to make sure he was all good first and foremost and then from there just kind of building back up,” Burke added.
Chaney has been an anthem singer since the early 1990s, according to the Chicago Tribune.
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Rate Field, Chicago
Credit: Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty
He performed for the NBA's Pacers before traveling to Chicago to sing at Bulls games and has also performed at matches for the Mets, Knicks, Bears and Cubs.
White Sox manager Will Venable told MLB: “Everyone did a great job in responding and did the best to make sure he was all right.”
“I'm glad that he's OK,” Rays manager Kevin Cash added. “That was very scary for I'm sure both clubs, players. It kind of put a little bit of dull feeling there for the first inning or two.”
The White Sox official X account put out a statement that said: “The White Sox longtime anthem performer, Gerald Chaney, experienced a medical emergency while singing during pregame tonight. He received treatment by EMTs at the ballpark and was alert prior to being transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.”
The team added: “The entire White Sox family is sending love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery.”
Many fans rushed to give their best wishes to Chaney in the comments, with one writing: “Sending strength and love to Gerald and his family. Hope he's back on his feet soon.”
Another said: “Praying for him to make a full recovery. ,” while a third added: “Well wishes. Hope he will be ok.”
The Rays ultimately won the game against the White Sox 8-3.
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