Trending Now - White Sox Anthem Singer Suffers Collapse During Performance
WHO:
MLB.com - Sam Antonacci made his Major League debut for the White Sox on April 14th, 2026, starting at second base.
ESPN - Gerald Chaney, a longtime anthem performer for the Chicago White Sox.
MLB.com - The Chicago White Sox organization.
WHAT:
ESPN - Chaney was a few words into "Lift Every Voice and Sing" when he paused, started again, and then collapsed.
MLB.com - Chaney was taken to the hospital for treatment and further tests after collapsing on April 14th, 2026.
Daily Mail Sports - The performance was part of the Jackie Robinson Day festivities, which included Chaney's scheduled performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" after "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
MLB.com - Antonacci played in 11 games in a new left field position for Triple-A Charlotte before his call-up.
MLB.com - Antonacci is the No. 9 White Sox prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
MLB.com - Antonacci had a breakout campaign in 2025, slashing .291/.433/.409 with 78 runs scored, 57 RBIs, and 48 stolen bases.
ESPN - Chaney paused twice during the performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" before collapsing just behind home plate after the second pause.
MLB.com - The White Sox stated, "The entire White Sox family is sending love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery."
NY Post - Gerald Chaney collapsed while performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during the Jackie Robinson Day celebration.
ESPN - Chaney was alert before being taken to the hospital after collapsing.
MLB.com - The game between the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays was delayed by 12 minutes due to the incident.
MLB.com - Chaney was scheduled to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" after "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
WHERE:
ESPN - The incident occurred at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.
WHEN:
MLB.com - Antonacci was informed of his call-up on April 13th, 2026, and flew to Chicago on April 14th, 2026.
ESPN - The collapse occurred on Wednesday, April 14th, 2026, before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
MLB.com - The first pitch of the game was delayed until 6:52 p.m. CT on April 14th, 2026.
WHY:
Daily Mail Sports - The performance was part of the Jackie Robinson Day festivities.
HOW:
ESPN - Emergency medical technicians tended to Chaney for several minutes before he was loaded onto a gurney and taken from the field.
MLB.com - Antonacci traveled from Charlotte to Jacksonville on April 11th, 2026, played a kids game on April 12th, 2026, and then flew to Chicago on April 14th, 2026.
MLB.com - Medical personnel administered treatment to Chaney for several minutes before he was taken off the field via stretcher.
ESPN - Emergency medical technicians tended to Chaney for several minutes before he was taken off the field on a gurney.
(UPDATED April 16, 2026 21:12 UTC)
During the Jackie Robinson Day festivities, singer Chaney collapsed while performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" on Tuesday. Emergency medical technicians attended to him for several minutes before he was taken to the hospital for treatment and further tests. Chaney was scheduled to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" following his initial song.
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(UPDATED April 16, 2026 19:22 UTC)
Sam Antonacci made his Major League debut for the White Sox on Tuesday, starting at second base after being informed of his call-up just a day earlier. Before joining the big league team, Antonacci played in 11 games in left field for Triple-A Charlotte and is currently ranked as the No. 9 prospect for the White Sox according to MLB Pipeline. He had an impressive breakout season in 2025, posting a batting average of .291 with a .433 on-base percentage, scoring 78 runs, driving in 57 RBIs, and stealing 48 bases.
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(UPDATED April 16, 2026 13:22 UTC)
During a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," Chaney paused twice before collapsing just behind home plate. Medical personnel quickly responded, administering treatment for several minutes before he was taken off the field on a stretcher. The White Sox organization expressed their support, stating, "The entire White Sox family is sending love to Gerald and his family for a full and speedy recovery."
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(UPDATED April 16, 2026 04:06 UTC)
Gerald Chaney, a longtime anthem performer for the Chicago White Sox, collapsed while singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during the Jackie Robinson Day celebration at Rate Field in Chicago on Tuesday. He was alert before being taken to the hospital, and the game against the Tampa Bay Rays was delayed by 12 minutes due to the incident. Emergency medical technicians attended to Chaney for several minutes before he was transported off the field on a gurney.