Audience Boos Tyrese’s National Anthem

Wow! When Tyrese Gibson subbed the word “Lakers” for “flag” in his National Anthem performance at the LA Lakers game Wednesday night, fans didn’t appreciate the switch and proceeded to boo him loudly.

Tyrese presumably thought fans would take to the phrase “our Lakers were still there” just fine, but he must have underestimated the patriotism of the crowd. It was, after all, just days after Memorial Day.

According to E! News, Gibson hasn’t commented on the event, but he did post on his Twitter account this morning:
Good Morning….. I feel sick this morning… Sometimes you have to listen to your body and rest.. My day is canceled.. Sleepy time!.. Sounds innocent enough, but you have to wonder if the boos might have injured his spirit and brought on this “sickness.”

Executive VP of the Lakers Jeanie Buss did comment on the controversy, also via Twitter. She first said (incorrectly), “Anthem was awesome—star Tyrese sang and subbed word Lakers for Rockets and place went crazy,” and later followed up with: “Some people upset with changing words in anthem. No disrespect intended.”