An Orioles tradition traveled all the way to Rio Tuesday night after Michael Phelps won his 21st Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly race.
The Baltimorean broke out into a fit of laughter on the medal stand after his friends yelled, “O!” during the National Anthem.
Phelps heard the "O" during the anthem pic.twitter.com/s11m18A2ni
— Jameson Cokas (@jameson2111) August 10, 2016
He later explained his hometown pride.
“My boys from Baltimore were down at the other end and back in Maryland, we all say ‘O!’ for the Orioles during that part of the national anthem,” he told reporters. “And all of a sudden I hear them roar ‘O!’ and I knew exactly where I came from and I just lost it because those guys came down from Baltimore and New York City to be here and it’s just special to see those guys in the stands.”
This is so awesome @Orioles @MichaelPhelps @SportsCenter @espn #BaltimorePride #Os #USA #Phelps20 pic.twitter.com/P3xF7Daybv
— Mike B®u©e? (@Mbrucey8) August 10, 2016
Watch the full moment below: