Gerald Chaney paused twice while singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the crowd at Rate Field went silent. He fell to the ground behind home plate on Wednesday night, turning a celebration of Jackie Robinson into a medical emergency.
The White Sox were preparing to face the Tampa Bay Rays when the incident occurred. Medical personnel rushed the field immediately to treat Chaney, who remained alert before EMTs transported him to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The collapse happened during a pregame sequence honoring Jackie Robinson Day, an event where Chaney was scheduled to perform both the Black National Anthem and the U.S. national anthem. The suddenness of the collapse mirrored the shock felt across the sporting world during the 2023 cardiac arrest of NFL player Damar Hamlin, where a routine game instantly transforms into a life-saving operation.
Chaney collapsed during a Jackie Robinson Day tribute
Witnesses noted that Chaney struggled through the initial song, stopping twice before finally losing consciousness. He collapsed just behind home plate, prompting an immediate response from ballpark medical staff. Personnel spent several minutes stabilizing him on the field before placing him on a gurney.
The White Sox confirmed the medical emergency in a statement, noting that the “entire White Sox family” is wishing Chaney a full and speedy recovery. While the team didn’t specify the nature of the emergency, they emphasized that he was conscious as he left the stadium.
What defines Gerald Chaney’s role in the city
Beyond the stadium, Chaney serves as an English and Language Arts teacher within the Chicago Public Schools system. He doesn’t view his singing as a performance intended to energize a crowd, but rather as a vehicle for a deeper narrative.
Chaney previously told the Chicago Tribune that his goal is to remind listeners of “the perseverance and the triumph over tragedy.” He often draws a parallel to the lyrics of the national anthem, noting that Francis Scott Key looked out from a ship to find the flag still standing despite the chaos of battle.
Across three decades he built a sports legacy
Chaney’s presence at professional sporting events dates back to the early 1990s. He began his career performing for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers before moving to Chicago to finish his college education and begin singing for the Bulls.
His repertoire of venues extends far beyond the South Side of Chicago. Over the years, he has performed at games for the Bears, the Cubs, the New York Mets, and the New York Knicks, establishing himself as a staple of the regional sports atmosphere.
A 12-minute delay paused the evening’s action
The medical emergency disrupted the game’s scheduled start, forcing a 12-minute delay. The first pitch eventually took place at 6:52 p.m. CT, after Chaney had been cleared from the field.
Fans and players remained in a state of uneasy anticipation as the medical team worked, a reminder of the fragility that can puncture the choreographed routine of a professional baseball game.
Which song was Gerald Chaney performing when he collapsed?
Chaney was singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of the Jackie Robinson Day celebrations.
What is Chaney’s profession outside of sports performances?
He is an English and Language Arts teacher for the Chicago Public Schools system.