A singer that was scheduled to perform the national anthem had his chance in the spotlight canceled ahead of the College World Series.
The NCAA confirmed to ESPN’s Dave Wilson that Zach Collier was denied the opportunity to perform the national anthem at the men’s College World Series because he did the Horns Down gesture before a women’s College World Series softball game between Texas and Oklahoma State:
The NCAA allegedly contacted the federation because “we have documented proof that he made offensive gestures and mockery of a participating team … and we do not feel comfortable allowing him to perform.”
The NCAA confirmed the decision to cancel his performance in a statement.
“The performance of the national anthem during NCAA championship events is a solemn moment for reflection and mutual respect for all championship participants and fans in attendance,” the NCAA said in a statement. “Following his national anthem performance during the Women’s College World Series — during which the performer inappropriately supported one participating team, taunted the other team, and disrupted participating student-athletes and coaches by attempting to interact with them — he was asked not to perform during the Men’s College World Series.”
Collier is a graduate of Texas A&M and told Wilson he wanted to engage in a little friendly banter with an in-state rival.
“I’m an Aggie; Texas was playing,” he said. “I was going to give them a ‘Go Pokes’ and then a Horns Down after the anthem. And that’s exactly what I did. And three hours after I sang the anthem, I got an email saying that I wasn’t scheduled to sing for the men’s College World Series anymore.”
WANT MORE FROM TOTALPROSPORTS? FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE NEWS.