The eagle has landed – literally, and on an unsuspecting baseball player.
A bald eagle set its sights – and talons – on Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton during the pre-game national anthem on Thursday.
We don’t think that’s how they drew it up in rehearsals…???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/aW8IGaNCVy
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) April 5, 2018
The Canadian native somehow maintained his composure as the powerful bird, and symbol of American patriotism landed on him in the outfield.
Uh… pic.twitter.com/7pZN5kaC7B
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) April 5, 2018
We don’t think that’s how they drew it up in rehearsals…???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/aW8IGaNCVy
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) April 5, 2018
Challenger the eagle was part of a pre-game fly-in ceremony at the game between the Seattle Mariners and host Minnesota Twins.
The bird, a member of the American Eagle Foundation, is “the first Bald Eagle in U.S. history trained to free-fly into major sports stadiums, arenas, and ballrooms during the National Anthem,” according to the Foundation website.
THIS! pic.twitter.com/2FJCQzPTUv
— Jen Mueller (@JenTalksSports) April 5, 2018
Paxton’s reaction and poise during the unscheduled landing earned him much praise and reminded others about a quite different reaction to a bald eagle from President Trump.
Holy wow. Little braver than Trump and an eagle. pic.twitter.com/YVaWL9ZWRP
— waitthereisaNMBrewersfan (@jshwelbaum) April 5, 2018
Challenger the Bald Eagle just attacked #Mariners LHP James Paxton after the national anthem.
Well-trained, that bird.
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) April 5, 2018
Oh, just an ???? landing in a Big ????.@James_Paxton, totally fearless. pic.twitter.com/8xHYBTwNhC
— Mariners (@Mariners) April 5, 2018
I think the eagle sensed that Paxton was a Canadian…
— THESASQUATCH (@9BlueJays5) April 5, 2018
When America wants to land on your shoulder you let America land on your shoulder
— Don Murphy (@tool32386) April 6, 2018
I look at this and instantly want an eagle to land on me
— Heather C. (@lawsome30) April 5, 2018
He handled that better than 99% of the population would have!
— David Vrieze Daniels (@DVDaniels79) April 5, 2018
Via BizPAC
