Basketball buffs got a special treat from 11-year-old Sebastian De La Cruz, who sang the National Anthem before Game 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals this week.
The baby-faced crooner, who also performed on "America's Got Talent," took to the paint in a mariachi outfit, which sparked a slew of cruel comments across the Twitterverse, according to FOX SPORTS. The jokes unveiled many users' hidden racisms.
According to MSN, one user wrote a mean, but more tamed comment, "Why they got a Mexican kid singing the national anthem?"
But instead of letting the hatred stop him, the young singer responded with class. He did a repeat performance on Thursday night before the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs fought for the ball. He brought the same energy, and wore the same outfit, which sent a pretty strong message of perseverance and triumph.
Apparently, his parents taught the youngster, who was born in San Antonio, some valuable lessons.
"My father and mother told me you should never judge people by how they look," he told KENS-5 in San Antonio.
He was so determined and steadfast in gaining victory over his critics that President Barack Obama was inspired, and on his side.
Don't miss @selcharrodeoro's encore performance of the national anthem at the #NBAFinals in San Antonio tonight.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 14, 2013
Well, De La Cruz acted like a champ, taking the criticism in stride.
"People don't know, they just assume that I'm Mexican, but I'm not from Mexico," he said. "I'm from San Antonio, born and raised."
Check out the clip of De La Cruz belting out the nation's anthem below!
