Hamilton Star Christopher Jackson Botches U.S. National Anthem at Mets Season Opener
In a surprising turn of events, Christopher Jackson, the acclaimed Broadway performer famous for his role as George Washington in the hit musical Hamilton, made a notable error while singing the U.S. national anthem. The incident occurred on Thursday, March 26, 2026, during the New York Mets' season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field, leaving fans and spectators taken aback.
Lyrical Misstep During Performance
During his rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, Jackson omitted the line "O'er the ramparts we watched" and instead repeated the previous phrase, "Whose broad stripes and bright stars." This flub was immediately noticeable, with many attendees and viewers quickly taking to social media to comment on the mistake. The performance was nationally televised, amplifying the attention on the error.
One fan expressed their disappointment on X, stating, "Leave it to the Mets to mess up the national anthem on opening day." Another user humorously questioned, "How do you play George Washington on Broadway and mess up the national anthem? What in the name of Francis Scott Key is going on here?" referencing the poet behind the anthem's lyrics.
Social Media Reactions and Fan Criticism
The backlash was swift and widespread. A third critic posted, "This is embarrassing on so many levels. Who in the Mets organization green lit this guy? And even worse — if you know you're going to sing the national anthem at an MLB Opening Day game, wouldn't you practice?" These comments highlighted the high expectations for such a prestigious event, especially given Jackson's Tony Award-winning background.
Footage from broadcaster SNY showed Jackson rehearsing and performing a mic check before the game, but it only captured the end of the song, leaving questions about his preparation. Interestingly, Jackson had successfully performed the anthem at a New York Knicks game the previous week without any issues, receiving applause at Madison Square Garden.
Who Is Christopher Jackson?
Christopher Jackson is a seasoned performer with a rich Broadway career. He made his debut in 1997 as part of the original ensemble of Disney's The Lion King. Over the years, he has taken on significant roles in productions like In the Heights and appeared in HBO's And Just Like That, as well as all 125 episodes of the CBS procedural Bull. His extensive experience made the anthem flub all the more unexpected for many observers.
Game Outcome and Team Performance
Despite concerns that Jackson's mistake might be a bad omen for the Mets, the team defied expectations with a strong performance. Capitalizing on defensive errors by Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz, the Mets chased superstar pitcher Paul Skenes early in the game, scoring five runs in the first inning. Former Blue Jays all-star Bo Bichette, who recently signed a three-year deal with the Mets, contributed his first RBI for the team, although he went hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts.
The Mets ultimately secured an 11-7 victory, starting their season on a positive note and overshadowing the anthem mishap with an exciting win.
