Country icon Toby Keith wrote a custom Monday Night Football opener using his song "Should've Been a Cowboy" exclusively for the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1990s. While the original version was already perfect for "America's Team," Keith rewrote some lyrics for the occasion, referencing Cowboys players Mark Stepnoski and Emmitt Smith. He also modified the chorus, giving a shoutout to Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. Keith was a big football fan and played the game growing up, even playing as a defensive end in high school and semi-professionally for the Oklahoma City Drillers. In 2003, he headlined the halftime show at the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game. Sadly, Toby Keith passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 5, 2024, following a long battle with stomach cancer.
