Michael Phelps laughed during the National Anthem, and it's ok

You would think after winning a gold medal for the 20th time, Michael Phelps might be used to the pomp and circumstance. But Phelps is no ordinary athlete.

Many in the television audience may have been taken aback when the Maryland native quickly transitioned from visibly holding back the tears to laughter while the "Star Spangled Banner" was being played Tuesday night during the medal ceremony for the 200 meter butterfly.

The thing is, the words toward the end of the anthem have special meaning for anyone from Baltimore, where Phelps was raised, and is considered by many on par with Cal Ripken for all-time sports greatness.

"And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." These words are somber and sang the same in Baltimore or Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles.

Michael Phelps Olympic history:

But the next line, is slightly different.

"Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave," becomes "OOOOO-HHHHH, say does.." in Baltimore, with fans screaming the "Oh" as loud as possible. It's a tribute to the Orioles, the baseball team that moved to Baltimore in 1954 and helped many a sports fan get over the loss of the beloved Colts when they relocated in the dead of night to Indianapolis in 1984.

Phelps was asked about it after the ceremony and explained that the yelling reminded him of home.

"My boys from Baltimore were down on the other end, and back in Maryland, we all say "O!" for the Orioles during that part of the National Anthem. And all of the sudden I hear them roar "O!" and I knew exactly where I came from," explained Phelps during a post-ceremony interview. "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."

Shortly afterwards he went on to win his 21st gold medal in the 4x200 men's freestyle relay race. In other words, just your average day in the life of Michael Phelps.

Boomer Phelps at Rio 2016:

Copyright 2016 U.S. News & World Report