Jim Cornelison's national anthem electrifies Soldier Field before Bears-Vikings MNF
Longtime Blackhawks singer drew rapturous response from fans and players as Chicago opened the season under coach Ben Johnson
Jim Cornelison delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem at Soldier Field on Monday night that ignited the crowd and drew widespread praise from fans and broadcasters ahead of the Chicago Bears' season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Cornelison, a Chicago favorite best known for singing the anthem at Blackhawks games, brought a full-throated performance that prompted cheers in the stands and visible reaction on the field. Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez stood with his eyes closed and arms outstretched as the anthem reached its crescendo, and millions of viewers echoed the crowd's approval on social platforms.
Video clips shared online drew immediate attention. ESPN's SportsCenter posted the performance with the single-word reaction "GOOSEBUMPS," and users on X praised the delivery. One fan wrote that the anthem "kicks ass" and that "America just grew three times as powerful," while another described getting chills and standing with a hat off and hand on heart. Cornelison had posted earlier in the day that he was heading to Soldier Field for Monday Night Football and wrote, "New season, go Bears!"
The anthem set an energized tone for Chicago's opener, the franchise's first under head coach Ben Johnson. Quarterback Caleb Williams accounted for a touchdown on his first drive, giving the Bears an immediate offensive spark against their divisional rival.
Cornelison, who has a long association with Chicago hockey and is widely recognized for his rousing renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner, has frequently elicited similar reactions at United Center for Blackhawks games. His appearance at the football opener marked a crossover that drew attention both locally and nationally, as broadcasters and social media amplified highlights from the pregame ceremony.
The Bears and Vikings went on to contest the season-opener on national television, with the pregame anthem moment repeatedly replayed and discussed in commentary before the action resumed. Cornelison’s performance was one of several narrative threads that framed Chicago’s first game of the year, alongside the arrival of Johnson and the early-impact plays by Williams.
No injuries or on-field incidents were reported in association with the anthem. The moment instead became a focal point for fans and viewers who cited the singer’s command and the charged stadium atmosphere as notable elements of the Monday night kickoff.
As the season progresses, pregame elements such as anthem performances are likely to continue drawing attention, particularly in a city where sports traditions are closely followed and shared widely across national sports media and social platforms.