Some people know Carl Lewis as the track and field legend who competed in four Olympics, brought home nine gold medals and once held the title of fastest man in the world. Others know him as a guy who memorably botched the National Anthem during the NBA Finals in 1993.
It’s been more than two decades since Lewis’ admittedly cringeworthy performance, but it’s one that continues to top the lists rounding up the worst National Anthem renditions of our time. Lewis knows he didn’t do the song justice, and recently reflected on the experience during an interview for “Oprah: Where Are They Now?”
“I was actually under the weather and did not want to do it,” he says of singing that day. “But then, you can’t back out.”
Lewis’ voice cracked, his notes were off-key, and he tossed out an “uh oh” mid-song.
Yet, despite its faults, Lewis doesn’t regret the ordeal.
“I’m actually glad it happened,” he says. “It’s part of [my] journey.”
In some ways, Lewis says, all the attention surrounding that performance has helped him connect with younger fans who would otherwise be unfamiliar with him and his career.
“The great thing about it [is] kids who come up and they’ll say, ‘Oh, I saw your anthem, but, boy, I didn’t realize you were that fast,’” he points out. “Some other people are going to say, ‘Ha, ha, ha, isn’t that funny?’ I say, ‘Well, if that’s how you want to define me, that’s your business.’”
“That's what you want to define me as? Well, then, that's more on you than me.”
That doesn’t mean Lewis is unprepared to fire back at his critics every now and again.
“I’ve been on interviews and they’ll ... just laugh it up. I’ll say, ‘Isn’t it funny? My anthem 25 years ago has been seen by more people than your show, OK?’” he says.
Besides, Lewis adds, if people choose to define him by that one musical mishap, that says more about them than him.
“I’ve been a UN ambassador, I coach high school, I have an age-group club where I work with kids, I’m on the board of Best Buddies which works with kids with intellectual disabilities,” Lewis says. “[But] that’s what you want to define me as? Well, then, that’s more on you than me.”
Lewis says he's never tried to be anything other than his authentic self.
“The one thing I wanted to always be is Carl Lewis,” he says. “I’ve made it 55 years, so I’m the lucky one here. That’s it.”
Another reflection from the athlete:
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