The Bears tabbed a local belter to give "The Star-Spangled Banner" a full-throated rendition last week. For Jim Cornelison's encore, he delivered a second national anthem every bit as good as his first try.
VIDEO: Jim Cornelison’s NFC Championship Game National Anthem Is Stirring, Cheered By Bears Fans
Cornelison, who sings the anthem before home games for the Chicago Blackhawks, was initially slated to be replaced for this week’s anthem by American Idol alum Lee DeWyze. But then the NFL and FOX reneged on that choice, reinstalling Cornelison as the anthem singer for the NFC Championship Game.
As for the cheering? That’s a Chicago tradition that extends to all sports, and is not meant as a sign of disrespect. Whether you think that’s a good thing or not is up to you: I don’t mind the cheering, but I prefer letting the singer do his or her thing, then cheering at the typical “O’er the land of the free.”
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