This is the full Chris Stapleton/Snoop Dogg cover of ‘In The Air Tonight’ for ‘MNF’
For years, Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends” was the “Monday Night Football” anthem, and it was popular among fans before ESPN made a change in 2020.
ESPN switched to a re-recorded rendition of Little Richard’s “Rip It Up” for two years, The Athletic noted, before changing in 2022 to a DJ Marshmello remix for its Monday football games.
But now, ESPN has tabbed another country-music star for “Monday Night Football.”
The network on Monday debuted a song from Grammy-award winning artist Chris Stapleton, who covered the iconic Phil Collins hit “In The Air Tonight.”
The cover song also features Snoop Dogg and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana.
“The new Monday Night Football anthem is comprised of Chris Stapleton covering Collins’ lyrics, with Snoop Dogg, in his signature style adding football-centric verses, Cindy Blackman Santana, a powerhouse on the drums, rocking the song’s iconic drum break and brings her own style and accents to this classic song,” ESPN wrote in a news release. “The show open will include NFL stars, game highlights and dramatic moments intercut with dramatic performances from all three artists. ESPN’s Creative Content Unit produced the open in conjunction with the musical trio and Grammy-award winning record producer Dave Cobb.”
ESPN said it will continue to use the song all season for its NFL game coverage.
A clip of the song was teased on Monday, but ESPN later released the full version of its new “Monday Night Football” anthem. Here is the entire intro from the network.
Can you feel it?
The new Monday Night Football Anthem is HERE!@ChrisStapleton x @SnoopDogg x @Drumstress pic.twitter.com/hbuTMMHIT9— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2023