File this one under the category of: You Had One Job.
The anthem singer at Tuesday night’s NHL game between the Bruins and Sabres in Buffalo apparently forgot to do his homework.
During his rendition of O Canada, Christian Kramer had a little brain fart and forgot the words to our national anthem mid-song. He tried to improvise his way through it – to disastrous results.
“With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free.
“O Canada, we stand our eyes. We stand on guard for thee.”
I’m sorry, we stand our what?
Well, with that botch job, we have another addition to our list of anthem singers that elicited more laughs than inspiration before sporting events.
Greg Bartholomew
During the 1990s when the CFL expanded into the U.S., for some reason, they put a squad in Las Vegas, hoping to capitalize on being the desert oasis’ only pro team. Instead, the Posse was best known for Bartholomew’s rendition of O Canada, during which he read the lyrics, but sung them to a tune not even close to correct.
Roseanne Barr
There is singing off-key and then there was whatever Barr was attempting during her attempt at the Star Spangled Banner before a San Diego Padres game in 1990. The TV star’s attempt to hit the high notes towards the end of the song was enough to make even deaf dogs howl.
Fergie
While it might be OK to put a little personal touch on it when singing an anthem, the Black Eyed Peas star took it way too far when performing at the 2018 NBA all-star game. Her version of the U.S. anthem actually had players struggling to hold it together while standing for the pre-game ceremony.
Flavor Flav
The Public Enemy hype man sang the U.S. anthem before a game between the host Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks earlier this season and, well, it certainly has people talking. While not as egregious as some entries on this list, it is at least an honourable mention.
Carl Lewis
The U.S. track and field superstar somehow managed to trip over “rockets’ red glare” with his voice cracking to Olympic levels, then took a second to apologize to the crowd before bringing it home.