Carrie Underwood Wows With New “Sunday Night Football” Opener

 

Football fans across the nation have been waiting all day for Sunday Night -- and all year for this season's opening game, which took place Thursday. However, there's one fan in particular who's been hankering for Sunday's Cowboys vs. Giants matchup: Carrie Underwood, who'll be ushering in "Sunday Night Football" for the very first time with her brand-new version of "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night."

Underwood took over the coveted gig from another famous country gal, Faith Hill, who stunned sports fans with her sexy rendition of the tune every Sunday evening for six seasons straight. Anticipation has been almost as high for her takeover as it is for a glimpse at Dallas quarterback Tony Romo's first 2013 regular-season performance!

We're sure Underwood didn’t sign anything close to Romo's $100 million-plus new contract with the Cowboys, but we think she did a million-dollar job as the new "SNF" babe. Her rockin' version (note, official version coming soon) of the opening theme was punctuated with a pair of hot pants that would make the famously leggy Hill proud, as well as a fun montage of NFL hotshots including Andrew Luck, Clay Matthews, and of course Giants QB Eli Manning and Romo.

For comparison, here's the original country girl performing the theme. We know, we know.. it's one of the more pleasurable conundrums to consider: Who do you think rocks it better: Underwood or Hill?

Fans of rock 'n' roll will probably prefer Underwood's slightly more edgy version; while country purists will likely lean towards Hill's more classic take. However, when it comes to a matchup of gorgeous gams, both superstars certainly have a leg up!

Hill performed the opening theme starting in 2007 before announcing her retirement from the post in mid-April. She called the decision "difficult" and "kinda emotional," but tweeted that she felt it was time to let someone else "rock the open." Her decision to leave was her own, as she was praised by SNF producer Fred Gaudelli with "Great love and admiration" for "six great years" helming the opener.

Prior to Hill, pop singer Pink performed the opener for one season.