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The longtime national anthem singer for the Chicago White Sox was hospitalized Wednesday night after collapsing while performing the Black national anthem before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The terrifying scene occurred amid “Jackie Robinson Day” festivities, as Gerald Chaney performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The big screen at Rate Field announced Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 15, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)
Chaney, who was also scheduled to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was just a few words into the black national anthem when he took a break. He started again but collapsed on the field.
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He was treated by medical staff for several minutes before being taken off the field on a stretcher. The team said in a statement that Chaney was taken to an area hospital for further evaluation.
“Longtime White Sox anthem singer Gerald Chaney experienced a medical emergency while singing during pregame tonight. He was treated by paramedics at the stadium and was alert before being transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.”
People are paying attention to a man who collapsed while singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 15, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)
The statement continued: “The entire White Sox family sends love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Wednesday’s game was delayed 12 minutes.
“I’m really happy to hear he’s OK,” White Sox manager Will Venable said after the game. “But it’s obviously a scary time. I think everyone has done a great job responding and doing their best to make sure he’s OK. It’s really good news to hear that he’s OK. That’s the most important thing, obviously.”
Tampa Bay beat Chicago 8-3 on the road to earn the team’s fifth straight victory.
A Tampa Bay Rays hat displays a patch for Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 15, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)
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