Gold medal winner Shaun White stood atop the podium. Teammate Scotty Lago, the bronze winner, stood to his left.
White didn't rein in his enthusiasm during the playing of the national anthem at the medal ceremony.
At the very end of "The Star-Spangled Banner," White did a little air guitar.
I don't think it's a big deal, but it did stand out as, I don't know, a little unusual.
Air guitar during the playing of the national anthem? Will some consider that inappropriate?
Probably.
It was so very brief. I certainly don't think he meant any disrespect at all. White seems to be proud of his country and proud to be an American. I've often heard him refer to representing the USA and being happy to win for his country.
White's hoping for an invite to the White House. He's waiting for the call from Obama.
A little air guitar is OK.
Now if he acted like Jimi Hendrix from "Oh, say, can you see" to "the home of the brave," that would have been a problem.
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NBC has posted the video of the ceremony here.
However, this is not the camera view that was shown during the prime time broadcast.
On the video up on NBC's website, you see White from behind. But as it was originally aired, you got a clear shot of White's flourish at "O'er the land of the free."
Why did NBC decide to post this view? Why not show White's air guitar moves from the front, as it was broadcast?
That's kind of weird.
Here are pics of the primetime broadcast version:
Clowning around during the National Anthem does not show respect for it, our flag, or being a representative of America. White seems like a nice fellow and I wish he would apologize for his actions and be a leader to American youth on respecting our country's symbols.
ReplyDeleteI was embarrassed for him. I am a fan, but it is disrespectful whether he meant it to be or not. He is a huge roll model for kids in our country, and working in high school education I wish he would have refrained acting so childish.
ReplyDeleteI am on this site right now specifically because of the disgusting show put on by Shaun White last evening by playing "air guitar" during our National Anthem. I personally felt humiliation as an American that (especially!)during our time of war, we had this immature and egotistical young kid representing us. Gold or no gold, he managed to embarrass us as a country by showing a total lack of honor and dignity. It wasn't just the air guitar itself, but he was playing the fool while one of the ever-classy Finnish athletes & a fellow American were receiving their medals! He showed them, fellow Olympic athletes, Finland, and our blessed United States, blatant & foul disrespect. I served 8 years in the US Navy & Naval Reserves and I thoroughly believe we owe it to our soldiers & other military personnel reverence by placing our hands over our hearts and honor our country without flippant disregard. BTW, I am a 39 yr old female with 3 teenage sons. My 13 year old son asked me why White was playing Guitar Hero during the National Anthem! Shaun White, perhaps you should take some notes from your fellow gold-medal winner & countryman, Evan Lysacek. That's class, White...Something you're painfully lacking! Shame on you!
ReplyDelete-Embarrassed in Wisconsin
Toni L. Viegut
That was not disrespectful it was entertaining! and he was just celebrating! he did just win a gold medal, after all.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED it, thought it was great!
ReplyDeleteAll of you need to just calm down and get over it. How excited would you be if you got a gold??!!! Just calm down!
ReplyDeleteTo all of you who say White was "disrespectful," you make me sick. Seriously. White is SO patriotic. He could not contain himself for having won for the U.S.A., as he kept yelling it out.
ReplyDeleteOn the podium, I totally saw in his eyes that he was recalling the Jimi Hendrix version of the National Anthem. He then stopped himself quickly after. Are you going to damn him for loving music? He loves his country more than you do. You are into protocol, which is not patriotism, it's nationalism (as in Nazi party mentality). White has a true love for his country and he expressed his joy.
I wish White, and the U.S. many more winnings.
Guys relax. i get it your taking pride in yout country but i think if u won gold u would be excited. Shaun white is my hero and he did nothing wrong. we all are human and we all are equal so dont say anything that he didnt say "president" obama. you guys are calling him shaun? how about mr.white? where is ur respect?
ReplyDeletepeople are very stubborn and dont see both sides. he did nothing wrong and people get real
If you're talking about when Costas was interviewing White, at first he just said "Obama." But a few seconds later he did say "President Obama."
ReplyDeleteI don't see that as an issue at all.
I don't think White meant any disrespect at all. It's just another example of a simple lack of decorum and manners present in so many younger Americans today. Everything is a big joke, a bit of fun, etc.
ReplyDeleteSo, yes, let's not beat the guy up too badly - just enough for him to learn how to behave. Not every moment is a snowboard-hang out with your friends moment.
Now the real thing that should get people hot and bothered is the fact that snowboarding is an Olympic event.
To all of you on this blog, excluding the military personnel, what are you doing to be a representative of America or our youth? I would assume nothing. But you are quick to get on here and pass judgement on a few moments of a celebration that some may or may not deem appropriate.
ReplyDeleteDo you even know anything about Shaun White? Have you watched him as he competes against the world? Everytime he has delivered a run, he picks up his board at the end and shouts, "U.S.A.". He didn't have to do the last trick Double McTwist 1260 on his Victory run, he didn't have to do anything, he did it for U.S.A., his fans, and the sport. This young man has overcome more than you know. He was born with a heart condition and had to have TWO open heart surgeries as a child.
So, in my opinion, he has back to back GOLD medals in the Olympics not to mention all of his other medals. He is the most decorated in his sport and continues to define it. He deserves to celebrate.
If you think that teaching your children to overcome overwhelming obstacles in their short lifetime and being the Best in the World at Anything they do is breeding "egotistical", "embarrassing" humiliation for the U.S.A. you have alot to learn about raising children. Alot of athletes are going to do alot worse things to embarrass out country and they are going to be asking worse questions than about Guitar Hero!
He is, after all, 22 years old, and while it may have not been the best decision, he has represented our country with the upmost respect with his competitions.
Go Shaun White! You continue to amaze us with your convictions. Continue to set the bar high and achieve your goals and teach our youth that they can as well no matter what limits they think they have on them!
Shame on you Sean. I was a great fan of yours until your immature display on the podium.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the Olympic Committee gives you some lessons on how you are representing all of us in the United States.
Your behavior was poor and disrespectful of our great flag and nation.
You have lost me as a fan - I won't stay up late or preprogram my tv to see you any more.
GROW UP!!!!!!!
Come on folks...get over it. It was harmless.
ReplyDeleteWatching Shaun White not able to ‘hold it together’ and stand at attention for the national anthem…was kinda shameful, and a bit lame. And watching Bob Costas interview White in studio after the ceremony, and not call him out, was weird too. Remember Mr. Costas was the one who made such a big issue of Usain Bolt thumping his chest after the 100 meters a few years back in Beijing –I recall ‘unsportsmanlike’, and ‘disrespectful’ being the big-boy words used at the time. Kinda double standardish is you ask me, but me thinks calling out NBC’s poster boy for these Olympics wouldn’t fly with the brass…did I say lame?
ReplyDeleteWow. Sharon or whoever you are... YOU'RE A JERK!
ReplyDeleteBest Olympic Moment: Shaun White playing air guitar to the National Anthem. Lighten up America!
ReplyDeleteGive the young man a break. You have to be a little bit of a rebel to be a snow boarder, THAT IS THERE NATURE. The U.S.A. was born from that rebel spirit.
ReplyDeleteAll you negative naysayers need to get a life. At least he put his hand over his heart during the ceremony. I doubt many have the respect for our country to even do that, and for that reason, I am very embarrassed to call anyone who has that kind of disrespect a fellow American.
ReplyDeleteYou go Shaun. Keep doing what you love and express how you feel. It's obvious you LOVE your country.
Boo to all you negative people. I sure wouldnt want to be your friend with that kind of negative attitude.
OH, and I have to add... DIDN'T Jimi Hendrix play the National Anthem on his electric guitar in front of thousands of people in the huge event called WOODSTOCK! That has gone down in history now as an awesome event, played over and over and over again, and has not been called disrespectful in anything I've seen. So what's the problem with Shaun?? Cmon don't be so critical. Your glass house might break.
ReplyDeleteSeriously if yall think thats disrespectful to do than thats just stupid. He's just won a gold medal. Shaun worked so hard to get that medal he deserves a moment like that!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that so many Americans had a stick up their bum... are you sure you're not all from France?
ReplyDeleteShaun did nothing "disrespectful" in enjoying his medal celebration. I am proud that we had him up there accepting the gold for our country. Part of what is so wonderful about America is our rights for individuals and the freedom of expression, both of which were displayed by Shaun on the podium. NBC's decision to air a fatal accident was far more disrespectful than ANYTHING ELSE in the olympic games and here some of you are, being pompous and judgmental towards a young man who has done nothing but love his country.
Excalibur Classic, if you want something to be embarrassed about, perhaps it should be your grammar challenges. I find it most disturbing that someone working in high school education has difficulty discerning between Roll Model (the Pilsbury Dough Boy) and Role Model (a relatable and honorable figure for children to look up to).
Freedom to express ourselves? You mean like John Carlos and Tommy Smith?...look it up.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe ANY of you think Shaun White disrespectful! Sad! This young man is the BEST ambassador the United States could EVER hope for.....when you do as much for charity as he does come talk to me! Shame on any of you that trash this outstanding young man!!
ReplyDelete