Jim Cornelison's National Anthem Draws Cheers Before Bears-Vikings Monday Night Game
Veteran dramatic tenor sings at Soldier Field as military jets roar overhead to open Week 1 matchup between Chicago and Minnesota
Jim Cornelison delivered a rousing performance of the national anthem before Monday Night Football's Week 1 finale between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, drawing cheers from fans as the stadium prepared for kickoff.
The 61-year-old dramatic tenor, a familiar presence at Chicago sporting events, began "The Star-Spangled Banner" to a packed crowd on Sept. 8, 2025, ahead of the matchup that pitted Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams against Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy. As Cornelison completed the song, military jets performed an overhead pass, and play began moments later.
Cornelison has been the Bears' national anthem singer since 2010 and has performed at Chicago Blackhawks games since 2008. He has also sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" prior to the Indianapolis 500 since 2017. Beyond sporting events, Cornelison trained with the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists in Chicago and has appeared at major opera houses internationally.
He is active in civic and military-support organizations, serving on the board of the Illinois Patriot Education Fund and holding the honorary title of squad commander with the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America. Cornelison's appearances at stadiums and civic events have become part of the pregame tradition for many Chicago-area fans.
Monday night's game closed out Week 1 of the NFL season with heightened attention on the Bears' offense and the Vikings' response. Broadcasters noted the anthem performance and flyover as part of the pregame buildup, and commentators returned to live action as the teams took the field.
Cornelison's role in Chicago's sports scene continued to highlight the intersection of civic ceremony and professional athletics, reinforcing a longstanding local tradition of featuring accomplished vocalists for major events.