Why We’re Excited About The New ‘Monday Night Football’ Anthem

Author Wendy Rush

September 20th, 2023 3:01 PM

The new anthem for Monday Night Football not only covers an awesome song. It brings three totally different music genres together.

Every football fan (and player) knows that the energy you bring to the game can totally alter the whole experience. And the new Monday Night Football anthem is definitely bringing the energy. As we reported earlier in the week, ESPN dropped a press release on Monday teasing the new song that would air that night.

The song is the iconic In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins. Which, if you know the history of that song’s relationship to football, is an obvious choice. As ESPN reported, the song has been named more than once in the past as one that has helped football players get into their game time mindset before kickoff.

But the trio that collaborated to cover the song might not have been so obvious.

Country singer Chris Stapleton and hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg partnered up for the lyrics on this one. Stapleton has won eight Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance, and has been nominated for 17 altogether, according to Grammy.com. But he’s also a southern rock artist. And he brings every ounce of that prowess into delivering the melody of this cover.

And then we have Snoop Dogg bringing his one-of-a-kind brand of elevating the song with his verses. That, of course, are all about the game. Snoop Dogg has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards, including for Album of the Year twice. And he’s been nominated more than once in the past for his collaborations (grammy.com).

So already the new Monday Night Football anthem had the recipe for an awesome cover.

And even then, we add Cindy Blackman Santana on the drums. With such a famous drum solo, it had to be someone iconic playing that part. And she does it with her own flair that brings it to a whole new level. Santana has been rocking the drum kit since the 80’s (cindyblackmansantana.com), and is the regular touring drummer for the band Santana. Which she plays in with her husband, Carlos Santana.

So what does a Monday Night Football anthem backed by this much talent sound like? It sounds like this.

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

The new anthem will open every Monday Night Football game of the season (ESPN Press Room). As well as ESPN’s Week 18 Doubleheader and their Enhanced Playoff Schedule.

– Wendy Rush, 96.3 KKLZ

Wendy Rush is the midday host on one of Vegas's top stations, 96.3 KKLZ. She has been with the station for ten years and comes with a diverse career background. In addition to being a radio host, Wendy has lived the Vegas life as an entertainer. She has been a celebrity impersonator, rock band singer, and improv comedian. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Wendy writes about music, celebrities, mental health and wellness, and life as a Las Vegas local.

What Star Wars Character Is Your Favorite NFL Team?

What Star Wars character do you think YOUR NFL team is?

Robots, AI, Chat GPT – there is no doubt about the fact that we are entering a brave new world of technology. It seems as if each day brings another technological innovation that will be amazing, and somewhat flawed, and change our world in both good and bad ways.

You hear more and more everyday about AI, or artificial intelligence. Scroll through TikTok and you will see dozens of videos promising to show you how to AI can help you make millions of dollars, be more efficient at work or even plan your vacation.

It’s all very cool, and futuristic, and even Jetson-like. But I do believe if we’re not careful, we’ll all be replaced by new AI Overlords soon!

Chat GPT-4 actually did this list, and compared every single NFL team to a Star Wars character, and matched them up. Some of the results are really fun – and actually pretty dead on. Others, maybe not so much.

Again, keep in mind that a company called Fansided did this on Chat GPT-4, so it may have gotten certain details incorrect or some of its data might be out of date – because AI is still slightly flawed, and it probably will be for a while. Humans designed it, after all.

Chat GPT-4 is only “trained” through September of 2021. So for example, Chat GPT-4 doesn’t yet know that the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year, nor does it know of a lot of the changes that have taken place in the NFL over the last couple years. But it sure knows its Star Wars characters!

All of that said, the data it does have on NFL teams is pretty extensive. So they took a deep – and fun – dive in, and basically let a robot come up with the Star Wars character for your team. See what you think, and how accurate or inaccurate you think these comparisons are.

New England Patriots – Emperor Palpatine
The Patriots, led by the cunning and calculating Bill Belichick, were a dominant force in the NFL for years. Emperor Palpatine was the puppet master controlling the Galactic Empire from behind the scenes.

Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Skywalker
The Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes leading the way, have become a powerful force in the league. Much like Luke Skywalker, they bring hope and have the potential to topple dynasties.

Clemens Bilan / Stringer via Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers – Darth Vader
The Steelers, known for their tough, hard-hitting style, are reminiscent of Darth Vader, feared and imposing enforcer of the Galactic Empire.

Ian Forsyth / Stringer via Getty Images
Green Bay Packers – Yoda
The Packers, led by the “wise and experienced” Aaron Rodgers, share many qualities with Yoda. Both exhibit a quiet strength and a deep understanding of their respective fields.

Ian Forsyth / Stringer via Getty Images
Dallas Cowboys – Han Solo
The Cowboys, with their “swagger” and “confident demeanor,” are a perfect match for the charming and daring Han Solo.

Ethan Miller via Getty Images
Seattle Seahawks – Chewbacca
The Seahawks, known for their “Legion of Boom” defense and strong team bond, are similar to Chewbacca, the loyal and powerful Wookiee.

Frederick M. Brown / Stringer via Getty Images
New Orleans Saints – Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Saints, with their calm and collected leadership under Sean Payton and Drew Brees, parallel the wise and patient mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. (Again – Chat GPT is not quite up to date)

Jed Jacobsohn via Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers – Princess Leia
The 49ers, a team with a storied past and strong leadership, can be compared to the resilient and strategic Princess Leia.

Stuart C. Wilson / Stringer via Getty Images
Baltimore Ravens – Boba Fett
The Ravens, known for their aggressive and opportunistic defense, take after the skilled and feared bounty hunter Boba Fett.

Paul Morigi / Stringer via Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams – Lando Calrissian
The Rams, with their flashy offense and bold moves in the offseason, are reminiscent of the smooth-talking and resourceful Lando Calrissian.

Sean M. Haffey via Getty Images
Philadelphia Eagles – Wedge Antilles
The Eagles, a scrappy, determined team, has been compared to Wedge Antilles, the skilled pilot who played a key role in the Rebel Alliance’s victories.

Tim Nwachukwu via Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings – Qui-Gon Jinn
The Vikings, with their strong running game and a focus on balance, share similarities with Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Master known for his deep connection to the Force.

Brian Bahr via Getty Images
Buffalo Bills – Rey
The Bills, with their newfound success led by Josh Allen, mirror Rey’s journey as a new hero with amazing potential.

Brett Carlsen / Stringer via Getty Images
Indianapolis Colts – Mace Windu
The Colts, with their strong defense and no-nonsense approach, are comparable to the powerful and disciplined Mace Windu.

Andy Lyons via Getty Images
Cleveland Browns – R2-D2
The Browns, a team with a storied history of ups and downs, could be compared to R2-D2, the loyal droid who always comes through in the end.
Tennessee Titans – Poe Dameron
The Titans, with their high-flying offense, are a fitting match for the daring and skilled pilot Poe Dameron

Frderick Breedon / Stringer via Getty Images
Atlanta Falcons – Kylo Ren
The Falcons, with their explosive offense but sometimes inconsistent performances, can be compared to the powerful yet emotionally conflicted Kylo Ren.

Anthony Harvey / Stringer via Getty Images
Houston Texans – Finn
The Texans, a team with potential but still searching for their identity, are reminiscent of Finn, the former stormtrooper turned Resistance fighter.

Logan Riely / Stringer via Getty Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – General Grievous
The Bucs are a team known for their aggressive play and fierce defense, resembling the intimidating and ruthless General Grievous.

Ehrmann via Getty Images
Arizona Cardinals – Ahsoka Tano
The Cardinals, with their young and promising quarterback Kyler Murray, share similarities with Ahsoka Tano, the skilled and independent former Jedi apprentice.

Jamie Squire via Getty Images
Los Angeles Chargers – Padmé Amidala
The Chargers, a team with a strong offense and the potential for greatness, can be compared to the intelligent and resourceful Padmé Amidala.

Stephen Dunn via Getty Images
New York Jets – C-3PO
The Jets, with their ongoing rebuilding process and occasional missteps, are like C-3PO, the well-meaning but sometimes hapless protocol droid.

Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images
Detroit Lions – Jar Jar Binks
The Lions, a team with a history of struggles and underperformance, can definitely be compared to the clumsy, yet endearing Jar Jar Binks.

David McNew via Getty Images
Carolina Panthers – Asajj Ventress
The Panthers, with their strong defense and relentless pursuit of success, resemble Asajj Ventress, the powerful and cunning former Sith assassin.

Andy Lyons via Getty Images
Denver Broncos – Kanan Jarrus
The Broncos, who focus on balance and solid game plans, share similarities with Kanan Jarrus, the wise and adaptable Jedi survivor.

Justin Edmonds via Getty Images
Jacksonville Jaguars – Ezra Bridger
The Jaguars, a team with a young, promising roster, can be compared to Ezra Bridger, the gifted Force-sensitive youth with a bright future.

Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
New York Giants – BB-8
The Giants, with their up and down performances and flashes of brilliance, are reminiscent of BB-8, the plucky and resourceful droid.

Getty Images Sport Via Getty Images
Miami Dolphins – Chirrut Îmwe
The Dolphins, with their disciplined approach and strong defense, are like the blind warrior-monk Chirrut Îmwe, who relies on his deep connection to the Force.

Eric Espada / Stringer via Getty Images
Cincinnati Bengals – Cassian Andor
The Bengals, a team with a history of ups and downs, are a fitting match for the very determined and resourceful Rebel spy Cassian Andor.

Andy Lyons via Getty Images
Washington Commanders – Admiral Ackbar
The Commanders (formerly the Redskins) a team that has faced adversity and shown resilience, can be compared to Admiral Ackbar, the experienced and strategic leader of the Rebel fleet.

Rob Carr via Getty Images
Chicago Bears – Plo Koon
The Bears, a team with a storied past and a focus on defense, share qualities with Plo Koon, the wise and powerful Jedi Master.

Jonathan Daniel via Getty Images
Las Vegas Raiders – Jango Fett
The Raiders, with their history of rule-bending and aggressive play, resemble Jango Fett, the fearless and skilled Mandalorian bounty hunter.

Jed Jacobsohn via Getty Images