Carrie Underwood has been the voice of Sunday Night Football for fourteen straight seasons, and this year she’s flipping the script. Instead of the polished country sound fans are used to, she’s reworking Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’“I Hate Myself for Loving You”into a full rock anthem for the 2026 show open. The performance was filmed at an intimate venue with her band, giving it a stripped-down, high-energy feel that matches the rock roots of the original SNF theme.
Creative director Tripp Dixon said the goal was to match“these two rock frequencies of past and present,”and Underwood described the whole thing as her“ongoing rock star fever dream.”It’s a direction she’s hinted at for years, so hearing her lean all the way into it on football’s biggest regular-season stage is a moment worth catching.
The new open premieres September 13 when the Cowboys face the Giants on NBC and Peacock, following the season kickoff on September 9 with Patriots vs. Seahawks. Whether you’re a die-hard Joan Jett fan or just here for the football, this one’s going to be a talking point. Are you team rock Carrie or team classic country Carrie?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.