TRANG.For 13 years, Carrie Underwood has owned Sunday nights with a three-second moment that signals football is on. Behind the soaring “Sunday night football!” lies a ritual of focus, precision, and heart — every note delivered for fans who’ve waited all week. The newly released backstage video reveals just how much care goes into making those few seconds iconic, proving that sometimes, the smallest moments leave the biggest impact
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
For 13 years, Carrie Underwood has owned Sunday nights like no other, her voice synonymous with football’s biggest night. When she belts out “Waiting all day for Sunday night!”, fans know the game is about to begin — and those few seconds have become a cultural touchstone.
A newly released behind-the-scenes video offers a glimpse into what makes those three iconic seconds so electrifying. “Every note is for the fans who wait all week,” Underwood says in the footage, filmed backstage before the 2025 NFL season opener. She’s seen taking a deep breath, shaking out her hands, and preparing herself mentally — a ritual she has performed for over a decade to stay grounded and focused.
“It’s not just about singing a song,” she explains. “It’s about giving people that spark — that jolt of excitement that says, ‘It’s game time.’”
Since taking over the Sunday Night Football anthem from Faith Hill in 2013, Underwood has transformed it into a pop-country powerhouse. Each year, the production grows bigger, from LED backdrops to high-energy guitar riffs, but her dedication remains the constant. She meticulously rehearses even the smallest details, checking mic levels, encouraging the crew, and perfecting her signature power note. “It’s only three seconds, but it’s three big seconds!” she laughs during rehearsal.
Producer Fred Gaudelli, who has overseen NBC’s broadcasts for years, commented, “Carrie treats this like she’s performing at the Grammys — every single Sunday.” Her commitment has solidified her status not just as a music icon but as a sports tradition.
Fans agree. Social media is filled with posts like, “Carrie Underwood doesn’t just sing the SNF theme — she owns it,” and “It’s not football season until Carrie belts out that note.”
For Underwood, it’s personal. “My husband played hockey, so I know what game day means to people. I try to bring that same fire to my performance,” she said in a past interview. Those three seconds have become more than an introduction; they represent anticipation, unity, and energy — the nation shifting from weekend mode to game mode.
As Underwood herself puts it:
“When the lights go up and that first note hits, it’s not about me — it’s about everyone who’s been waiting all week. I just get to be the one who kicks it off.”
Thirteen years later, Carrie Underwood remains the undisputed queen of football Sunday — proving that even the shortest moment, delivered with passion, can become timeless.
