Soldier Field erupted moments before the Chicago Bears began their NFL season on Monday night thanks to a storming performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by Jim Cornelison.
Cornelison is a local favorite in Chicago – he usually sings the national anthem for the Blackhawks, the city’s NHL team.
But he swapped the ice for grass on Monday and announced himself to the football world with a powerful performance of the national anthem.
As soon as Cornelius started singing, the fans loved the energy in his voice and started to cheer him.
The players did too – Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez stood with his eyes closed and arms outstretched as Cornelison’s performance reached its crescendo.
It didn’t take long for the millions of viewers across the United States to signal their approval, either.
‘Bears National anthem singer kicks ass. America just grew 3 times as powerfull,’ one fan wrote on X at the end of the performance.
ESPN’s Sports Center tweeted the video of his performance out and simply captioned it: ‘GOOSEBUMPS. Jim Cornelison delivered the national anthem before Vikings-Bears.’
Another viewer posted: ‘That Vikes vs Bears National Anthem performance was one of the greatest of all time – standing by myself in my living room, hat off, hand on the heart and CHILLS over my entire body. WOW’.
Cornelison himself voiced his excitement at performing earlier on Monday on social media, writing: ‘I’m headed to Soldier Field tonight to sing the anthem for Monday Night Football.
‘There’s always some extra energy for MNF. Looking forward to it. New season, go Bears!’
