Teen Singer Forgets Words To National Anthem (Gets Rescued in Fine Way)

NBC5.com ^ | 4/28/03 | NBC5.com

[FreeRadical]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Blazers beat Dallas 98-79 in Game 4 of their NBA playoff series on Sunday, but that's not the only thing Portland head coach Maurice Cheeks had to be proud of.

Prior to the game, Cheeks went to the rescue of 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert, who froze up and forgot the words to the national anthem before a nationally televised audience.

Video: National Anthem Amnesia

After she faltered and shot a pleading look toward the sideline, Cheeks went to her side and began to sing the song with her. Despite the fact that he was off-key and couldn't carry the tune, Cheeks stuck with it -- and Natalie muddled through the song despite her shakiness.

[FreeRadical]

I don't know exactly how to define chivalry, but Maurice Cheeks's rescue of the 13yr old singer would be an example in my attempted definition.

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KSTP TV Another Look

As they finished the anthem, the singer's "Thank You" to Mr. Cheeks and his hug for her are a bit of a feel good moment. It was also nice to see the crowd go from laughin at her to helpin her sing.

[b4its2late]

13 year old? No big deal. At 13 I was nervous to speak in front of 13 other kids..

She'll end up a great American no doubt.

[dpa5923]

A true class act!

He didn't sound off key to me. He sounded great!

[MarMema]

Wish I could get the video to load and play, but it sounds like a terrific story. Thanks for sharing it.

[zingzang]

Awesome! Good to see the communists in Portland didn't boo her off the floor and demand that everyone sing some song in praise of Lenin instead!

[Saundra Duffy]

Cool.

[isthisnickcool]

That was nice!

[LS]

I saw this on ESPN. Very classy. I always liked Cheeks when he was with Dr. J. and the 76ers.

[MarMema]

OK got to watch it now. A lovely show.

[facedown]

VERY COOL! Great post, thanks!

[justshe]

I never heard the "laughing at her"......but I did see this 'hero' Cheeks go to her....put his arm around her shoulders...and while she was looking up at him....and he was looking down at her.....he started singing. And by the time the song ended...the entire crowd was singing at the top of their lungs. It was wonderfu.

[justshe]

I never heard the "laughing at her"......but I did see this 'hero' Cheeks go to her....put his arm around her shoulders...and while she was looking up at him....and he was looking down at her.....he started singing. And by the time the song ended...the entire crowd was singing at the top of their lungs. It was wonderfu.

[TexanToTheCore]

Wow. A very classy act by Mr. Cheeks. The little 13 year old girl has a lot of pluck and a fantastic voice. Good luck to her.

[John Lenin]

Mo Cheeks is a class act.

[William McKinley]

The best part of it, in my opinion, is when he starts encouraging the whole crowd to sing too, and they do.

I think it would be cool if every so often, instead of standing silently as someone sings it to us, the whole crowd would join in like that.

[coloradan]

Post Sept. 11 america is better if you ask me.

Except for all the dead people, yet another federal agency, and the power expansions contained in the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. acts I and II.

[Samwise]

Most excellent.

[Interesting Times]

Pure class.

Hats off to Mo Cheeks.

[Always Right]

Good thing Scot Ritter wasn't there to 'rescue' her.