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Jim Cornelison helped give the NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams a big game feel with his rendition of the US national anthem on Sunday.
Cornelison belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of a sold-out Soldier Field crowd. NFL fans and players joined in singing the anthem with Cornelison.
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Jim Cornelison performs the national anthem before the start of Round 1 of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
NFL fans tuning into the game on social media praised Cornelison for his performance.
This isn’t the first time Cornelison has made an impression on NFL fans this season. He received a standing ovation back in September when he performed the national anthem before the Bears took on the Minnesota Vikings. It was the first “Monday Night Football” game of the season.
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Chicago Bears’ DJ Moore takes the field prior to an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The 61-year-old is a regular at Chicago sporting events. He has been the Bears’ national anthem singer since 2010. He has hit the ice at Chicago Blackhawks games since 2008 and has sung “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500 since 2017.
Cornelison is just as popular outside of sports. He was part of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists in Chicago and sang at some of the most popular opera houses around the world.
He is also on the board of directors for the Illinois Patriot Education Fund and honorary band leader for the US Air Force Band of Mid-America.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford practices prior to an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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The winner of the Bears-Rams game will earn a spot in the NFC Championship Game next weekend.
