When "Sunday Night Football" producer Fred Gaudelli got a call from country music star Faith Hill that she felt like it was time to "pass the torch" and let someone else sing the theme song to NBC's "Sunday Night Football" program he immediately reached out to Carrie Underwood.
Gaudelli said he had his eyes on Underwood since 2006 when the network first began to broadcast the Sunday night NFL games.
"Carrie Underwood was our first and only choice to perform the Sunday Night Football opening," said SNF producer Fred Gaudelli in a press release. "She's one of America's most popular entertainers and the perfect fit for our show."
Six-time Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist, Underwood will replace fellow country singer Faith Hill who had sung the theme "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night" before each telecast since 2007.
The program is one of the United States' most-watched TV shows. The new season kicks off its weekly run Sept. 8 with a game between the Dallas cowboys and New York Giants.
"I am thrilled to be a part of NBC's Sunday Night Football and am so honored they asked me," Underwood said in a press release. "I have always loved football season, and it is so exciting to now become part of it every Sunday night!"
Underwood, who says she is excited about singing the theme song, got her recognition after becoming the season four winner of "American Idol" in 2005. She also sang the national anthem at the 2010 Super Bowl.
From 2007-2012 the song was performed by country music star Faith Hill and in 2006 Pink performed the song at its inaugural launch.
Underwood is currently on her "Blown Away" tour and will be traveling until May 23 when the tour ends.
