National Football League

Tyler to sing anthem at AFC title game

Published Jan. 20, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

NFL matinee idol Tom Brady and a famed "American Idol" judge will be on the same field for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Steven Tyler will sing the national anthem before the Baltimore vs. New England matchup at Gillette Stadium.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced Tyler’s participation during a Friday news conference at team headquarters.

Although he is a Yonkers, NY, native, Tyler moved to Boston in 1970 when his band Aerosmith was formed. Originally touted as the “Bad Boys from Boston,” Aerosmith is the best-selling US rock band in music history with 150 million albums sold worldwide. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Tyler will attend the Ravens-Patriots game before returning to California for "American Idol" tapings.

“He’s been a loyal, good Pats fan,” Kraft said. “We’re hoping that brings us good karma along with my sweetheart’s patch.”

The Patriots are wearing “MHK” decals to honor Kraft’s wife, Myra, who died of cancer in July at age 68. The Krafts were married for 48 years.

Wearing a baggy Patriots jersey, Tyler last performed the national anthem before a Patriots game in September 1999. In what might be a good omen for Patriots fans, New England won that game, beating Indianapolis 31-28.

Tyler, 63, has sung the national anthem at other major sporting events, including the Indianapolis 500, World Series and 2010 Boston Bruins season opener.

In January 2011, Tyler became a judge on FOX’s "American Idol" alongside Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson.

Tyler isn’t the only rock star with ties to the Patriots. Jon Bon Jovi is friends with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and sat in Kraft’s luxury box last Saturday during New England's second-round playoff game against Denver.

Brady has an even closer bond with another A-list celebrity. He is married to supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

Four of the top players in Patriots history — quarterback Drew Bledsoe, linebacker Tedy Bruschi, wide receiver Troy Brown and cornerback Ty Law — will serve as honorary captains for Sunday’s game. The quartet was part of the 2001 Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXXVI.