Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Watch: Joan Jett joins Carrie Underwood for ‘Sunday Night Football’ theme filmed at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Joan Jett joins Carrie Underwood for the "Sunday Night Football" theme opener this year.
Joan Jett joins Carrie Underwood for the "Sunday Night Football" theme opener this year.
By Melissa Ruggieri
Aug 27, 2019

Not only is this year's "Sunday Night Football" opening theme the first to be filmed in a stadium – Atlanta's own Mercedes-Benz Stadium – but music fans will also finally see the rocker behind the familiar song.

“Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” – performed by powerhouse country star Carrie Underwood for seven years – is taken from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ 1988 stomper, “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”

In this year’s production, which will debut ahead of the Sept. 8 Patriots-Steelers “Sunday Night Football” opener, Jett appears with Underwood, striking her guitar in that inimitable Jett style. (Jett also performed with Underwood during the CMA Fest in Nashville in June.)

The segment will spotlight 13 NFL players, including Atlanta Falcons wide receiver stud Julio Jones, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback (and reigning MVP) Patrick Mahomes, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz and Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack.

Check out a behind-the-scenes preview:

Follow the Atlanta Music Scene on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Author

Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.

Follow Melissa Ruggieri on facebookFollow Melissa Ruggieri on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Voices of Note is back for another holiday season with a number of concerts by the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus and Atlanta Women's Chorus. (Courtesy of Dan Lax)

Credit: Dan Lax

Traditions reign at Atlanta holiday concerts

Take in some of the performances from choral groups, jazz artists and classical musicians this holiday season in Atlanta.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

The Latest

ajc.com

What movies made in Georgia have made the most money since 2008?

‘Ride Along’ producer Will Packer promotes ‘healthy arrogance’ in new book

Check out three new reality shows with Atlanta ties

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones scores another victory over use of campaign cash

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appears to have scored another victory over Attorney General Chris Carr as the Republican gubernatorial candidates battle over campaign finance issues.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season is over; needs surgery to repair ACL

Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons hoped was their quarterback of the future, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.