It was the slap heard around the world.
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, I'm sure you're well aware of Will Smith's slap to the face of Chris Rock during the Academy Awards on Sunday night.
I'll leave everyone on the face of the Earth to debate the Smith-Rock feud. I didn't hear about the infamous slap until the next morning. I had watched the first 90 minutes of the program and went to bed inspired. That's right, inspired.
As I turned the television off, I was smiling at the terrific speech delivered by Troy Kotsur, an actor for some 30 years who was relatively anonymous until he landed a role in "CODA." To the surprise of few, Kotsur won in the Best Supporting Actor category.
I'm a huge J.K. Simmons fans, another nominee, and I was impressed by the work of fellow nominees Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee in "Power of the Dog." (Ciaran Hinds was also nominated).
I haven't seen "CODA" but found myself rooting for Kotsur, who is deaf. Kotsur's speech was terrific, alternating between being funny and poignant. Kotsur is the second deaf performer in history to receive an acting Oscar, joining his 'CODA" co-star Marlee Matlin.
An interpreter relayed a story Kotsur told about a recent visit to the White House by the "CODA" cast in which they met President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.
"I was planning on teaching them some dirty sign language, but Marlee Matlin told me to behave myself. So don't worry, Marlee, I won't drop any F-bombs in my speech today. Instead, I want to thank all the wonderful deaf theater stages where I was allowed and given the opportunity to develop my craft as an actor," he said.
The interpreter choked up at one point. He wasn't alone.
It was a phenomenal speech, a moment in the sun for a deaf actor who rose from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of his profession. It's too bad Smith's slap stole his thunder and rendered his victory - and acceptance speech - as a mere footnote on what should have been a great night.
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