Charlie Daniels, ‘Monday Night Football': Legend Brings His ‘Devil’ to the Gridiron

"Monday Night Football" has recruited another country legend to provide music for its opening segment. A special version of the Charlie Daniels Band's classic hit, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" will play just before the Atlanta Falcons host the Denver Broncos next Monday (Sept. 17).

Charlie recently recorded a revised version of his 1979 smash for ESPN, mentioning Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan and Broncos' new QB, Peyton Manning in the new lyrics. "I've been watching 'Monday Night Football' since it started and to be a part of it makes me feel proud," says the beloved musician. "I had to watch the lyrics real close because I've done those same 'Devil Went Down to Georgia' lyrics for 33 years!"

"We're excited to be in Atlanta this week for Peyton Manning and the Broncos' first road game of the season, and to kick off the telecast with Charlie Daniels' iconic song seemed like a perfect fit," says "Monday Night Football" producer Jay Rothman. "This is one of the fun things about having a new themed open each week. It gives us a blank canvas to be creative and incorporate athletes, celebrities, musicians and others depending on the storylines of the game."

This is the first time in more than 20 years that "Monday Night Football" will feature a different song before each game. Hank Williams Jr. was the former voice of the opening segment every Monday during the NFL season, with a special version of his hit, "All My Rowdy Friends." ESPN parted ways with Bocephus in the wake of controversial statements the singer made about President Obama on live television. Hank Jr. insists he quit the show on his own accord, while ESPN claims to have let him go.

This isn't the first time, however, that Charlie Daniels has been associated with "Monday Night Football." He was part of the all-star band that was featured each week during the 2006 NFL season.

Watch Charlie Daniels Sing 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' on the Opry

Watch a Video on the Hank Jr./ESPN Controversy

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