- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Hamilton Actor Flubs National Anthem at Mets Game
Broadway star Christopher Jackson forgot lyrics during opening day performance at Citi Field.
Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:35am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Christopher Jackson, the actor who portrayed George Washington in the hit musical Hamilton, stumbled over the lyrics to the national anthem during the New York Mets' opening day game at Citi Field. Jackson omitted a line and repeated another verse before getting back on track, drawing some lighthearted criticism from fans on social media.
Why it matters
As a high-profile performer known for his role as the nation's first president, Jackson's anthem flub at a major league baseball game's opening ceremony was an unexpected and humorous moment that sparked discussion among sports fans and theater enthusiasts alike.
The details
During his performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Citi Field, Jackson forgot the lyrics 'O'er the ramparts we watched' and instead repeated the line 'What so proudly we hailed.' He was able to recover and finish the anthem, but the mistake did not go unnoticed by the crowd and on social media.
- Jackson sang the national anthem without issue at a 2015 Mets playoff game and a 2023 Carolina Panthers NFL playoff game.
- The national anthem performance took place on March 30, 2026, during the New York Mets' opening day game.
The players
Christopher Jackson
An American actor and singer best known for originating the role of George Washington in the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.
Craig Carton
A sports radio host on WFAN in New York City who joked that Jackson's anthem flub might 'curse the Mets' season.'
What they’re saying
“How does George Washington mess up singing the anthem. Uh oh. Might be a long season in Queens. Let's go Mets.”
— Craig Carton, WFAN Sports Radio Host
The takeaway
While Jackson's national anthem performance at the Mets game was not perfect, the Broadway star's stumble over the lyrics served as a lighthearted moment that resonated with sports fans and theater enthusiasts alike, reminding everyone that even the most talented performers can have an off day.
