'Lone wolf' Tenor Remigio Pereira apologizes for altering O Canada

The Tenors member Remigio Pereira is officially apologizing for altering the lyrics to O Canada before this week's Major League Baseball all-star game.

While singing a solo verse of the anthem, he changed the lyrics "With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free," to "We're all brothers and sisters, all lives matter to the great."

Tenor changes lyrics of national anthem at MLB All-Star Game

8 years ago

Duration 0:18

Remigio Pereira inserts 'all lives matter' during solo

He also held up a sign bearing the message "all lives matter" on one side and "united we stand" on the other, while standing alongside his fellow Tenors on the field.

In a video posted on his Facebook page on Friday, an emotional Pereira says he knows O Canada is revered, and he was not intending to disrespect the anthem, the people of Canada, or "the people who have fallen for this country to be free."

He says those who were offended by his "all lives matter" message should know that he's not a racist, noting that he grew up in a multicultural environment.

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Blindsided by rogue Tenor

8 years ago

Duration 0:49

'If you were a fly on the wall you would have seen three very, very angry guys in the room talking to Remigio [Pereira]' says Fraser Walters of The Tenors

He also apologized directly to members of the Black Lives Matter movement who were offended by his actions and"for perpetuating this new connotation to the words 'all lives matter.'"

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Social media lit up with widespread derision of Pereira's unanticipated move, while the other three Tenor members distanced themselves from him, saying in a statement that he acted as a "lone wolf."

Pereira also apologized to his fellow bandmates in the message, noting that he hasn't spoken to themin the past few days.

"I had nothing to gain from this, in fact I've lost everything," hesaid.

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