Broadway Star Makes Decision On Singing National Anthem After MLB Disaster

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 9:18 AM ET

The New York Mets won their season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates in convincing fashion, and yet, the biggest storyline from that game involved the national anthem singer.

"Hamilton" actor Christopher Jackson had the privilege of singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of a packed crowd at Citi Field. Most people assumed he'd ace this task considering he plays George Washington in the iconic broadway musical. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at all.

After Jackson said "through the perilous fight," he paused for a brief moment and said "what so proudly we hail’d" instead of "O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming."

Christopher Jackson sings the National Anthem at Citi Field, Thursday, March 26, 2026.© Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

As you'd imagine, Mets fans weren't thrilled about Jackson butchering the national anthem.

"He literally played George Washington on Broadway, yet he couldn't take five minutes to actually memorize the National Anthem. Isn't this the absolute perfect metaphor for how completely out of touch the entertainment elite is today," one person said.

"How do you play George Washington on Broadway and mess up the National Anthem?" another fan wrote on social media.

"Hamilton" star messes up the National Anthem at the Mets' Opening Day game.

Credit: X / Mets pic.twitter.com/k5o1taAh2F
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 26, 2026

Jackson isn't backing down.

TMZ Sports spoke to Jackson on Thursday night about his blunder at Citi Field. Although it was a tough moment for him, he plans on singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at future sporting events.

"I’ve had the honor of singing the National Anthem countless times in Stadiums around the country. Today was a beautiful Opening Day and it was thrilling to be there. Today it was for about 5 seconds … and one line got away from me. I’m human," Jackson told TMZ Sports.

"But I won’t hesitate to step up to a mic and pay tribute to those that we honor with the Anthem. Grateful to the Mets and MLB for allowing me to be a small part of the Day."

We'll see if the Mets invite Jackson back this season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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