Growing up, Medford resident Danielle Hofmann’s father, Robert Forte, was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. Before he died about eight years ago, Hofmann promised him she’d sing the national anthem at the Highmark Stadium in his honor.

This summer, on Saturday, Aug. 10, her promise to her father was fulfilled when she was invited to sing the national anthem for the Buffalo Bills pre-season game versus the Chicago Bears.

“After his passing, I promised my father that I would one day perform for his favorite NFL team, which I knew would mean a lot to him,” she said of the full-circle moment.

She also brought her father’s whistle, and a small heart locket which carries some of his ashes, onto the field with her.

“It was really nice having him on the field with me,” she said.

She recalled feeling a bit nervous leading up to the moment, being that this was the largest crowd—about 60,000 people—she ever performed for, but once she stepped onto the field, all the fear dissipated.

Afterwards, she was greeted by some of the players, one of which, the kicker Tyler Bass, No. 2, even complimented her performance.

Hofmann always loved to sing and began singing the national anthem when her son started PAL football at the age of six for the local Pat-Med Raider Youth Program. Now 19, Alex Hofmann is a 2023 Pat-Med grad playing linebacker for the St. John Fisher University football team, where, coincidentally, the Buffalo Bills train in their off-season.

She has since performed at Citi Field for the New York Mets, the New York Islanders, for the Long Island Ducks, and at the Hampton Classic, among other engagements.

“Performing the national anthem is a way for me to express the love of our country, the freedoms we are entitled to, and most importantly, to pay respect to the men and women of our armed forces who have served our country, sacrificing their own lives, so that my family and I can enjoy all that we are blessed with,” she said, explaining why she sings the anthem.

But, the connection for Danielle is even deeper than that; she also sings specifically for her father-in-law, Steven Hofmann, who served in the Navy–also, coincidentally, on the U.S.S. The Sullivans, a retired Navy Fletcher-Class Destroyer, which is now stationed in the Buffalo Naval Park.

“Performing for the Buffalo Bills was not only an incredible experience, but a very personal one for me and my family,” she said, thinking of both her father and father-in-law.

Danielle spent the weekend in Buffalo with her husband Keith, son Alex, and daughter Madison, 16, who is a Pat-Med junior. Prior to her performance, she also visited the ship at the naval park with her family.

When she isn’t singing or performing the national anthem, Danielle is the marketing director for Professional Care Physical Therapy in Patchogue.