Bizarre renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner have become all-too-common in American sports these days, but one recent performance may take the cake.
On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Sparks visited the Big Apple and took on the New York Liberty at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Before the game tipped off, the customary rendition of the national anthem was performed in a very un-customary way.
Chris Ullman is a four-time international whistling champion and has used his gift to perform the anthem at multiple sporting events in the past.
On Thursday, he took center stage again and belted out – or rather, whistled out – the national anthem.
Fans in the audience were stunned and showed shocked reactions, as did the WNBA players themselves.
Los Angeles Sparks stars struggled to keep straight faces during a whistled national anthem
At one point, center Cameron Brink even appeared to join in with whistler Chris Ullman
The Liberty managed to hold on for a close victory over the visitors from Los Angeles
One video captured Sparks star Dearica Hamby giving side-eye glances to teammates Kate Martin and Alissa Pili as they both tried to contain their laughter.
Other members of the team were stunned and were shown staring in surprise at Ullman.
At one point, Sparks star Cameron Brink appeared to try her hand at the craft as she was seen mock-whistling along.
The show before the game was only matched by the on-court excitement when the game got underway.
The Liberty and Sparks played a close and competitive game before New York claimed an 85-81 victory.
