There may be frigid temperatures in the forecast for Chicago ahead of Sunday’s divisional round playoff game between the Bears and Los Angeles Rams, but there will be a warm-up act that will fire up the Soldier Field crowd.
Jim Cornelison will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and, as Mike Tirico told ESPN1000’s “Waddle and Silvy” show on Friday, NBC will air the legendary anthem singer’s performance.
“We’ve lived it at NBC with the Blackhawks games,” Tirico said. “I’ve lived it at the Indy 500, Jim singing back home in Indiana. I would walk out during the Saturday rehearsal of the pre-race for the Indy 500 just to be there and listen to Jim singing in the rehearsal so I can hear it on Sunday live. That’s the best anthem you’re gonna get at any game, any year. … That place [Soldier Field] is gonna be at 11 out of 10.”
The 61-year-old Cornelison began singing the anthem at Chicago Blackhawks games in 1996 and assumed the role full-time in 2007. His pre-game anthem was an attraction during the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup runs in the 2010s.
Soldier Field has also heard his booming pipes on numerous occasions before Bears games. But Sunday’s anthem might garner the biggest response he’s received with a trip to the NFC title game on the line.
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Cornelison won’t be the only star not on the field but in the building on Sunday night. Brandon Martinez, better known as “Cheese Grater Guy” was gifted tickets from Miller Lite after he went viral during last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers.
No word if “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” will also be in attendance rooting on Da Bears.