Mets' National Anthem Singer Forgets 'Star-Spangled Banner' Lyrics

Tony Award winner Chris Jackson, who played George Washington in 'Hamilton,' stumbles during opening day performance

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:38pm

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The New York Mets' 2026 season opener took an amusing turn when Tony Award-winning actor Chris Jackson, known for playing George Washington in the musical 'Hamilton,' forgot the lyrics to 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during the pregame ceremony. Jackson repeated a line before moving on, providing an inauspicious start to the Mets' new campaign.

Why it matters

The national anthem mishap was an embarrassing moment for the Mets, who are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season despite having the best record in Major League Baseball for much of the year. The blunder also highlighted the pressure and scrutiny that comes with performing in front of a large crowd at a high-profile sporting event.

The details

After the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates' 2026 rosters were announced, Jackson was brought onto the field to sing the national anthem. He made it through the first few lines without issue, but when he reached the fourth line - 'O'er the ramparts we watched' - he instead repeated the previous line, 'What so proudly we hailed.' Jackson then continued with the rest of the anthem.

  • The incident occurred during the Mets' 2026 season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, 2026.

The players

Chris Jackson

A Tony Award-winning actor who is known for playing the role of George Washington in the Broadway musical 'Hamilton.'

New York Mets

A Major League Baseball team based in New York City that is looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2025 despite having the best record in the league for much of the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Mets' opponent on opening day 2026, a team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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The takeaway

The national anthem mishap was an embarrassing start to the Mets' 2026 season, but it also highlighted the immense pressure and scrutiny that comes with performing in front of a large crowd at a high-profile sporting event. The incident will likely be remembered as a humorous moment, but it also serves as a reminder that even accomplished performers can stumble under the bright lights.