Jackie Robinson Day Takes Dark Turn in Chicago as Anthem Singer Collapses on Field

The celebration of Jackie Robinson's legacy at Guaranteed Rate Field took a scary turn Wednesday night when a longtime performer collapsed during the pregame festivities before the White Sox hosted the Tampa Bay Rays.

Gerald Chaney, a staple of the Chicago anthem rotation, went down while performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the hymn widely recognized as the Black national anthem. He made it just a few words into the song before stopping. He tried again, but collapsed a second time.

A Frightening Moment on the Field

Emergency medical technicians rushed onto the field and attended to Chaney for several minutes while both teams watched from their dugouts. He was loaded onto a gurney and taken from the field to be transported to a hospital. The White Sox confirmed that Chaney remained alert and responsive before being taken away.

The pregame ceremony came to a halt. Chaney had also been scheduled to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" after "Lift Every Voice and Sing," but the collapse changed the evening's plans entirely. The game itself was delayed 12 minutes as a result of the incident.

The White Sox Rally Around Their Longtime Performer

"The entire White Sox family is sending love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery," the team said in a statement.

Jackie Robinson Day remains one of baseball's most meaningful occasions, celebrating the man who broke baseball's color barrier and changed the sport forever. Wednesday's events in Chicago, however, will be remembered for more than the festivities alone. The thoughts of everyone in the ballpark are with Chaney and his family as he recovers.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.