The stage was set for trained singer Leslie Dorchester to deliver the National Anthem before a packed house at the West Virginia-Kansas basketball game last Tuesday.
Then, as mother nature would have it, Dorchester’s car was pounded with snow on the way to the WVU Coliseum, causing her to miss her opportunity.
“I was so devastated,” she told Inside Edition. “I tried so hard to get there. I actually parked my car and tried to run in the snow and ice.”
But this is America and the National Anthem must be sung at any cost. So some quick-thinking person in attendance remembered that former American Idol contestant turned West Virginia policeman, Carlton Smith, was in the attendance working security.
“They were like: ‘Hey, we need a favor. Can you sing the anthem?’ I said, ‘how long do I have?’ They said ‘about five minutes,'” Smith told Inside Edition.
“Any chance I get to do the national anthem is always a big deal to me. I was just basically hoping I didn’t mess it up too much,” he said.
Carlton, please. Your rendition almost made me cry red, white and blue tears.
[h/t Inside Edition]