The great Bonnie Bernstein of ESPN Radio in New York asked the following question.
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Late Nite Straw Poll: Best Nat’l Anthem performed prior to a major sporting event. And… go!
Bonnie Bernstein
BonnieB_ESPN
She prefers Whitney Houston’s lip synced version of the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Florida during the height of the first Gulf War. While that was a very good pre-recorded rendition, the best version ever done in my opinion was done just a week before at the NHL All-Star Game at the old Chicago Stadium. Wayne Messmer sang it and the crowd as it usually did and still does at Chicago Blackhawks games, stood up and cheered throughout the Anthem. It still brings chills and makes my hair stand up on my arm. Tremendous version.
Of course, you still have to recognize Jim Cornelison’s rendition at Soldier Field before the Seahawks-Bears game.
And here’s a story done by Comcast SportsNet Chicago about the tradition of cheering during the National Anthem at Blackhawks games featuring both Jim and Wayne.
That’s it.
