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Emotions were high for the last game of week 1 between Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, and it was the National Anthem singer who helped put the tone.
Jim Cornelison, a dramatic tenor, usually sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” for sporting events in Chicago. On Monday night, he got fans to cheer on their seats as soon as he started the song.
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Jim Cornelison sings “At home again in Indiana” before the start of the Indianapolis 500 on Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday 26 May 2019. (Gary Mook/for Indystar)
A general view of the stadium during the first name ceremony prior to the game between Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NFL fans who voted into “Monday Night Football” to see Matchup between Caleb Williams and JJ McCarthy were treated with an epic performance.
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The 61-year-old is a regular at Chicago sporting events. He has been Bears’ National Anthem Singer since 2010. He hits ICE for Chicago Blackhawks games since 2008 and has been singing “At home again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500 since 2017.
Cornelison just as popular outside of sports. He was part of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists in Chicago and sang on some of the most popular opera houses worldwide.
He is also on the board of the Illinois Patriot Education Fund and Honorary Head of the American Air Force Band in Mid-American.
Chicago Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams shrinks during the first half of an NFL football match against Minnesota Vikings Monday 8 September 2025 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
When he ended the anthem, military jets roared over the stadium, and football fans locked in for the first Monday night of the year.
