A young fan of the Washington Nationals set the stage for a game against the Chicago White Sox in the best possible way — he channeled an iconic command from actor/comedian Kevin James.

This fan stood in front of members of the United States Air Force, and he prepared to deliver the pregame command. He then came oh so close to giving the command for a different sporting event.

“I’ve got three things to say,” the Nationals fan said. “God bless America, God bless our troops, and gentlemen, start…woah. Let’s play ball!”

KEVIN JAMES YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS pic.twitter.com/ZafBIbrYIT

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 28, 2025

The crowd applauded while some of the service members standing behind the young fan began to laugh. They understood the quote that the young fan nearly dropped in the heat of the moment.

This command threw it back to the 2007 NASCAR Cup Series season and the summer race at Daytona International Speedway. James served as grand marshal for this event while wearing a Pepsi Racing jacket, and he delivered a command that has lived on in the hearts of sports fans.

“I’ve got three things to say,” James said before the NASCAR race. “God bless our troops, God bless America, and gentlemen, start your engines!”

What made this command so famous is the intensity. James started deliberately with his comments about America and the troops, and then he delivered the command to fire engines with a scream that would make heavy metal vocalists proud.

The Nationals fan isn’t the first example of someone delivering this command before an MLB game. James actually threw it back to himself after throwing the first pitch out for a New York Mets game in 2024.

Kevin James actually did the thing before the Mets game tonight 💀 pic.twitter.com/dbP574opIR

— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2024

The actor and comedian obviously included comments about the troops and America, but he also added in another comment based on his fandom. He said “God bless the New York Mets” before screaming “Gentlemen, let’s play ball!” James then spread his arms in triumph as the baseball fans cheered.