Adam Rippon certainly delivered for the U.S. during the men's free skate portion of the team skate in his Olympic debut.
He scored a 172.98, which put Team USA in third place heading into the women's free skate program behind Canada and the Olympic Athletes from Russia.
"Today was so special, so much fun," Rippon told NBC Sports after his performance. "I want to be one of the first medals here at the Games and we have a great team. I'm so proud to be on this team and I went out there and did my job so I'm going to be cheering for the rest of my teammates today."
It was clear immediately after his performance how much America loves the first-time Olympian. Take a look at some of the best reactions after his performance.
Adam Rippon. An icon, an inspiration, an American hero ❤️✨
— Gracie Gold (@GraceEGold) February 12, 2018Adam Rippon is about to be on the most attractive box of Wheaties ever produced.#PyeongChang2018
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) February 12, 2018
me trying to figure out why adam rippon’s program placed lower than kolyada’s pic.twitter.com/mDSMg2NbXu
— ashley (@ashleyyk7) February 12, 2018So why was @adaripp third behind Chan and Kolyada? Chan did two quads and Kolyada tried three. Rippon did none. Also, Rippon underrotated his triple lutz or he would have beaten Kolyada. Welcome to figure skating!
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) February 12, 2018
I need to immediately go and bedazzle everything I own so I can be more like Adam Rippon ❄️💎⛸💙 pic.twitter.com/K6hkmgq46S
— Ana Juneja 🚀💫 (@anajuneja) February 12, 2018Even the Adam Rippon interview deserves a gold medal. #Olympics
— Dave Barabas (@Dave_Barabas) February 12, 2018
The number one worldwide trend on Twitter: Adam Rippon. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/RwwQsPLnlG
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018Beyoncé and Adam Rippon single handedly turning Coldplay into gay icons
— Ira Madison III (@ira) February 12, 2018
That performance by Adam Rippon was legitimately chilling. So completely powerful and beautiful. #PyeongChang2018
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) February 12, 2018Adam Rippon was robbed by these judges, and you cannot convince me otherwise. I have two eyes that work just fine, and I know what I saw.#PyeongChang2018
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) February 12, 2018Adam Rippon = Real G
— Joe (@JoeRiveraSN) February 12, 2018#AdamRippon has put me into tears. My daughters are inspired by what he did. Absolutely incredible. #teamusa
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) February 12, 2018
@adaripp is a legend. Give him all the medals.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 12, 2018
