Cornelison Electrifies MNF with Anthem at Soldier Field

Lead Jim Cornelison delivered a thunderous rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears’ Monday Night Football opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8, 2025, captivating fans nationwide.

Nut Graf The veteran anthem singer, renowned for his performances with the Chicago Blackhawks, brought his signature operatic flair to prime-time football, sparking social media buzz and earning praise from viewers and NFL analysts alike.

Performance Highlights

Cornelison’s powerful vocals and emotive delivery set the tone for the Bears’ season opener under the lights at Soldier Field.
Social media users described the performance as “goosebumps-worthy” and compared Cornelison’s impact to a “10/10” NFL opener.
Fans on X applauded his return to the national stage, calling for him to sing every anthem “until the end of time.”

Community Reaction Viewers across the country reacted in real time:

“This guy should sing every national anthem until the end of time,” one fan commented, while another said, “My chest swelled with pride listening to that.”
PFT Commenter Eric Sollenberger echoed the sentiment, tweeting that the anthem performance “kicked —” and elevated America’s power threefold.

Cornelison’s Legacy Jim Cornelison has been a staple of Chicago sports for over two decades:

Official anthem singer for the Chicago Blackhawks since 1996, and frequent performer for the Bears, Bulls, White Sox and Cubs.
Featured at marquee events including NHL Winter Classics, NASCAR races, the Ryder Cup and college championships.
His rendition at Wrigley Field during the 2009 Winter Classic remains a career highlight and a defining moment in live sports media coverage.

Looking Ahead As the Bears kick off their season under prime-time lights, Cornelison’s stirring anthem reaffirms his status as America’s “Gold Standard” singer, setting a high bar for performances throughout the NFL season.