Countless male football fans were disappointed last month when Faith Hill
made the announcement she'd be retiring as the sexy opening number for
NBC's "Sunday Night Football." However, they'll no doubt perk right up again
when they hear who her replacement is--it's yet another country-music beauty,
Carrie Underwood.

The 6-time Grammy Award winner and "American Idol," who was officially
named the new "SNF" opener on Tuesday, says she's "thrilled" and "honored"
that NBC chose her as Hill's replacement.

"I have always loved football season," she said. "It is so exciting to
now become part of it every Sunday night!"

"Sunday Night Football" producer Fred Gaudelli confirmed that Underwood
was their first--"and only"--choice to replace Hill. "She's one of America's
most popular entertainers and the perfect fit for our show," he noted.
Gaudelli revealed in a conference call today that Underwood was also included
the original line-up of considerations in 2006 when the show debuted.

Underwood will be performing the same number Hill made famous for the past
5 seasons: "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night," which is set to the tune of Joan
Jett's classic "I Hate Myself For Loving You." She'll be recording her own version
of the song, marking her first production for NBC Sports.

Underwood will make her "Sunday Night Football" debut September 8th,
which will be "SNF"'s first broadcast of the 2013 NFL season featuring the
Cowboys vs Giants. As Hill did before her, Underwood will then usher in
"Sunday Night Football" every week throughout the season.