Editor's note: Justin Tucker was the winner of "Most Valuable Performer," an NFL talent show televised on CBS on Thursday night. The Ravens kicker sang "Ave Maria." This post features Tucker singing that song at a charity event on Dec. 11, 2015.
BALTIMORE -- Like so many times on the football field, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker didn't disappoint at a charity Christmas concert Thursday night.
With his powerful resonant baritone voice, Tucker delivered a strong performance of "Ave Maria," receiving a standing ovation from the packed crowd at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One organizer said the event had to add seating because Tucker's guest appearance had generated so much interest.
Edward Polochick, the conductor of the Christmas Festival, told the crowd that he didn't believe Catholic Charities would be able to get Tucker for the event. He told the committee that he had heard the Baltimore Symphony and New York Opera failed to get him.
"They said, 'Well, somebody on the committee knows somebody who knows somebody who knows the handler of Justin Tucker,'" Polochick said. "I said, then tell the somebody to tell the somebody to tell him that the Archbishop wants him to sing this year. Then when he is place-kicking, we know he'll have the real connection."
