Carrie Underwood faces backlash as some fans call for NBC to replace her after 14 years on Sunday Night Football

Carrie Underwood is preparing to return as the face of NBC’s Sunday Night Football for an impressive 14th consecutive season, but the announcement has sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. While many fans continue to associate her with the NFL’s biggest weekly broadcast, others believe it may be time for the network to introduce a fresh performer.

NBC has responded to the new season with a revamped opening sequence inspired by classic rock, giving Underwood’s long-running football anthem a new look and sound. Even so, debate surrounding the country superstar’s continued role has once again taken center stage.

NBC unveils a rock-inspired opening

NBC announced that Underwood’s latest Sunday Night Football opening will feature a reimagined version of the familiar anthem inspired by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ classic “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”

The new production places Underwood in three different settings, beginning inside a recording studio before moving to an intimate concert venue and ultimately ending with a stadium performance that leads viewers into kickoff.

Underwood expressed excitement about the refreshed concept, calling it one of her favorite openings since joining NBC in 2013. She said the creative team successfully captured both the spirit of rock music and the energy surrounding NFL Sundays.

According to NBC, the full opening will debut on September 13 ahead of the Dallas Cowboys’ season opener against the New York Giants, while fans will receive an early preview during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 6.

Some viewers say it’s time for a change

Despite the redesigned opening, not everyone welcomed the announcement.

Social media quickly filled with comments from viewers who argued that, after more than a decade, NBC should consider introducing a different artist to open its signature football broadcast.

Some fans suggested fellow country star Lainey Wilson would be a strong successor, while others mentioned Ella Langley, whose recent success has made her one of country music’s fastest-rising performers.

Others argued that NBC should move in an entirely different musical direction by selecting a rock-oriented performer to better match the intensity many associate with professional football.

While criticism was widespread across some online discussions, many viewers also defended Underwood, pointing to her consistency and the fact that her opening has become closely associated with Sunday Night Football over the past decade.

Carrie Underwood has become part of NBC’s football tradition

Underwood replaced Faith Hill as the voice of NBC’s football opening in 2013 and has remained one of the network’s most recognizable personalities ever since.

During her tenure, Sunday Night Football has continued its remarkable run as American television’s highest-rated primetime program, regularly drawing millions of viewers each week.

Creative director Tripp Dixon explained that this year’s redesign intentionally embraces Underwood’s longtime appreciation for rock music while paying tribute to the Joan Jett song that originally inspired the football anthem.

Rather than abandoning a familiar tradition, NBC hopes the updated arrangement will give longtime viewers something fresh while preserving one of the broadcast’s signature elements.

Political controversy continues to follow the singer

The latest criticism also arrives months after Underwood generated headlines by performing “America the Beautiful” during President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in January 2025.

Ahead of the event, Underwood described her participation as an opportunity to support national unity and said she felt honored to be included in a historic occasion.

Her appearance, however, prompted criticism from some fans because she had largely avoided publicly discussing politics throughout her career.

In previous interviews, Underwood explained that she generally prefers to stay out of political debates, believing most issues cannot simply be reduced to opposing sides.

Although the inauguration performance remains controversial among some audiences, there is no indication it influenced NBC’s decision to continue its long-standing partnership with the Grammy-winning singer.

NBC stands behind its longtime star

Despite online calls for a replacement, NBC has shown no signs of moving away from Underwood.

The network continues to promote her as a central part of its NFL coverage, and the new production demonstrates its commitment to refreshing the presentation without replacing the performer who has introduced Sunday night football for more than a decade.

Whether the rock-inspired makeover changes the opinions of skeptical viewers remains to be seen. What is certain is that Underwood’s return has once again generated conversation before a single regular-season snap has been played.

As the NFL season approaches, the debate highlights how closely sports broadcasts have become intertwined with entertainment. For some viewers, Carrie Underwood’s opening remains an iconic part of football season. For others, fourteen seasons feels like the right time for NBC to begin a new tradition.

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