Football fans tuning into the NFL wild-card match-up between the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams Saturday night (Jan. 6) were treated to more than just an exciting game. During halftime, a sneak preview of Carrie Underwood‘s new and highly anticipated football anthem, “The Champion,” was played.
The song, which Sunday Night Football executive producer Fred Gaudelli asked Underwood to write for the upcoming Super Bowl LII, was scheduled to be released before the big game in February, but probably nobody expected a preview as soon as during playoffs.
Underwood readied her fans for the surprise by re-posted a tease from on NBC’s Instagram account, which pictured her in the red-hot gown she wore for the 2017 season opener. The post noted, “Tune in tonight and you might hear a little something new.”
Feedback on the song seemed overwhelmingly positive, with a good number of fans commenting along the lines of “can’t wait to hear the full version!”
At least one sports fan has heard the “The Champion” in its entirety: Underwood’s husband, retired NHL pro Mike Fisher.
“My husband loved it. He would listen to it before playoff games,” the singer told Variety in September 2017. He was apparently eager to play the song for his teammates on the Nashville Predators before games the 2016-2017 season, but he wasn’t allowed.
The former American Idol winner became the face of Sunday Night Football in 2013, taking over for the former reigning queen of the sport’s intro, Faith Hill.
See Photos of Carrie Underwood + Mike Fisher Through the Years
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