CHICAGO — It was supposed to be a relaxing afternoon at the ballpark, until one die-hard Cubs supporter decided enough was enough and delivered an old-school lesson in patriotism with the back of his hand.
Video captured at Wrigley Field on Sunday, July 19, shows a younger fan in a white graphic T-shirt staying glued to his seat as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played before the game. An older man standing directly behind him wasn't having it.
"Stand up or get smacked!" the gray-haired fan barked, according to the viral clip, before delivering a sharp smack to the back of the younger man's head.
The seated spectator immediately popped up like he'd been zapped by a cattle prod, while stunned fans nearby watched the confrontation unfold in the packed stands.
The clip, which has racked up millions of views across social media, shows the older man in a Cubs jersey looking satisfied as the anthem continues and the younger guy finally joins the rest of the crowd on his feet.
No serious injuries were reported, and police responded to the scene but made no arrests, sources said. The Chicago Cubs organization is aware of the incident.
At Wrigley, where flags wave and generations of Cubs faithful gather under the ivy, the unwritten rule has usually been "stand up, shut up, and sing along", at least until Sunday.
