Share
Sports

Flashback: Dad's Spontaneous National Anthem Performance Brings 'Everyone in the Gym to Tears'

Share

Editor’s Note: The following is one of the Western Journal’s most popular patriotic-themed stories, re-posted in honor of Independence Day.

In a glimpse of the vast reservoir of patriotism that lies beneath the surface of American life, one parent stood tall when the sound system failed before the start of a high school basketball game.

On Dec. 4, 2020, the Waverly High Tigers and the Portsmouth West High Senators were preparing for their game in West Portsmouth, Ohio.

When the time came for the masked crowd to rise for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a complication arose.

Nope. This was not the NFL, and nobody decided to kneel in protest.

Instead, the sound system failed to work, leading to moments of silence amid foot-shuffling.

As the awkwardness grew, one player’s father, Trenton Brown, was soon prompted to remedy the situation.

“I looked over at the announcer, and the music didn’t play and didn’t play, and I looked over and he was getting a little frustrated. My wife gave me a little nudge and said ‘Sing’ and I said, ‘All right,'” Brown told CNN.

Brown soon began singing from his spot in the stands, leaving everyone in the gym stunned by his incredible voice.



Brown had experience in singing and performing, but it was the first time he’d ever tried the challenging national anthem solo.

“There was a lot of awkward silence … and then I started singing and that was it,” he said.

Is this the real America liberals forget to honor?

When it was over, he sat down as if he had not done anything remarkable.

The moment may have come and gone, but thanks to Johnny Futhey, whose son is a teammate of Brown’s son on the Waverly team, the video was shared with the world.

Futhey posted the video to his Facebook page.

“He brought about everyone in the gym to tears when he saved the day by standing up in the crowd and singing the anthem,” Futhey said.

Related:
Riley Gaines Points Out the Problem With LeBron James Being USA's Olympic Flag Bearer, Says He 'Should Be Disqualified'

Futhey said the video did not capture the moment of patriotism around the gym as players and fans joined while Brown sang.

“When I originally posted, I thought it would get some interest but didn’t realize it would be like a million views!” he said.

“I posted it because I was like, the world needs to see this.”

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , ,
Share
Jack Davis is a freelance writer who joined The Western Journal in July 2015 and chronicled the campaign that saw President Donald Trump elected. Since then, he has written extensively for The Western Journal on the Trump administration as well as foreign policy and military issues.
Jack Davis is a freelance writer who joined The Western Journal in July 2015 and chronicled the campaign that saw President Donald Trump elected. Since then, he has written extensively for The Western Journal on the Trump administration as well as foreign policy and military issues.
Jack can be reached at jackwritings1@gmail.com.
Location
New York City
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Foreign Policy, Military & Defense Issues




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation