National Football League

TE to sing national anthem at Reds game

Published Apr. 3, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Ben Utecht will have one of his biggest audiences as a performer when he sings the national anthem before the Reds' season opener.

The Reds' owners asked Utecht to perform the anthem before their game Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Utecht has a side career as a recording artist. He released his first album last year, a collection of contemporary Christian songs.

Utecht told The Associated Press in a phone interview Saturday that he didn't realize opening day was such a big deal in Cincinnati when he agreed to become part of it.

The Bengals released Utecht last season after he suffered a major concussion. He's hoping to extend his football career with another team.