PITTSBURGH — Musician/actor/recording artist Harry Connick Jr. will be singing tonight’s national anthem, an honor he said he takes quite seriously while chatting after his soundcheck.

“You get a special feeling when you sing the anthem,” said Connick, who also sang the anthem for Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis. “It’s obviously not a show, and it’s not about you. It’s about paying tribute to your country. It doesn’t happen all the time, and when it does, it’s precious. You get that same type of feeling. It kind of reminds you of the pride.”

Connick is about as cool as they come. Pretty much as you would imagine in that what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of way. He’s a big NFL fan, a big NFL Network fan, and an even bigger Saints fan.

“I think we’re going to be great this year,” the New Orleans native said. “I really, really do. We have so much talent. We have [defensive coordinator] Gregg Williams now. I’m a big [coach] Sean Payton fan, too. I think he’s awesome. We all know what [quarterback] Drew Brees and all those guys can do. I’m excited. It’s never looked this good on paper before. Know what I’m saying?”

So, know that when you watch Connick sing the anthem tonight, it’s a big deal to him, too. Oh, and he’s taking the Steelers tonight — the deciding factor being home-field advantage. But he doesn’t even get to stay for the game; he’s getting straight on a flight to New York after his performance.

So what about a Saints vs. Steelers Super Bowl?

“That would be so rockin’ man,” he said.

For all you Connick Jr. fans, he will also be on NFL Total Access tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Learn more about Harry Connick Jr. and his brand new album, YOUR SONGS.

– Frank Tadych

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