Watch: Biggest anthem meltdowns in sports history
No sane person would agree to sing the national anthem(s) at a professional sporting event. Best-case scenario, you sing well and nobody remembers you. If you blow it, though, you're a viral sensation before "... and the home of the brave," and effectively guaranteed that the most embarrassing moment of your life will be replayed in perpetuity on YouTube.
Of all the famously bungled anthem performances, however, none were more regrettable than that of Remigio Pereira, the "lone wolf" member of The Tenors who decided to change the lyrics to "O Canada" to include "All Lives Matter" ahead of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday. In honor of Fereira's boneheaded, massively ignorant move, let's take a look at the most cringe-worthy anthem performances ever.
Roseanne Barr @ Jack Murphy Stadium - July 25, 1990
In the last 30 years, no rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner has inspired more outrage than Barr's grating performance in San Diego, where the comedienne screeched her way through the song before saluting the booing crowd with a crotch grab. Last year, Barr explained that she meant no disrespect. "I started too high. I knew about six notes in that I couldn’t hit the big note. So I just tried to get through it, but I couldn't hear anything with 50,000 drunk a------- booing, screaming, 'you fat (expletive),' giving me the finger, and throwing bottles at me during the song they 'respect' so much."
Carl Lewis @ Brendan Byrne Arena - Jan. 21, 1993
Much like Barr, Lewis regrettably started his rendition of the American anthem too high, hanging himself out to dry when he got to "... and the rocket's red glare ..." and leaving us with a performance more enduring than anything the 1993 Chicago Bulls ever did. At least his running self-evaluation, interspersed between his strained and off-key warbling, let everyone know he's a self-aware man.
"Greg Bartholomew" @ Sam Boyd Stadium - July 16, 1994
In his defense, it's unlikely Dennis KC Parks - singing under the pseudonym Greg Bartholomew - was all that familiar with the Canadian national anthem, being a lounge singer from Las Vegas, and all. Still, he should've known it doesn't have the same tune as "O Christmas Tree."
Michael Bolton @ Fenway Park - Oct. 13, 2003
Bolton, whose biggest claim to fame is being a punchline in a Mike Judge movie, deserves a freaking medal for having the presence of mind to write the anthem lyrics on his hand ahead of Game 4 of the 2003 ALCS. He needed them.
Christina Aguilera @ Cowboys Stadium - February 6, 2011
Singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl has to be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences imaginable, even for a seasoned performer like Christina Aguilera. But that doesn't mean people aren't going to shame you forever if you mess up the lyrics. (She did.)
Measha Brueggergosman @ Scotiabank Place - March 24, 2012
Opera isn't for everybody. And by "everybody," I mean professional hockey players.
Harper Gruzins @ Toyota Stadium - July 28, 2012
Okay, yeah, Harper really blew it here, but, c'mon, she's 11 years old. What did you do at 11 years old? Nothing. Give her a break.
Caroline Marcil @ Quebec Coliseum - April 23, 2004
This poor woman envies Bill Buckner.