Carrie Underwood's new Inspiration

American Idol winner Carrie Underwood has capped off an amazing year by snagging a new boyfriend, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

She made a surprise Christmas Day appearance at Texas Stadium, hugging her new man on the field before the Cowboys' game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now Tony, 26, who has been linked with Jessica Simpson, has confirmed that he and Carrie are a couple in an interview with a small-town paper in Charleston, Ill., where he played college football. The article will appear in Wednesday's Journal Gazette/Times-Courier.

Sports editor Brian Nielsen tells In Touch: "After I asked him all my usual football questions, I said, 'My wife really wants to know if the Jessica Simpson dating rumors are true.'

"He laughed and replied, 'No. Tell her I'm dating Carrie Underwood.'"

Carrie, 23, looked on in disappointment from the stands as the Cowboys were beaten 23-7. NBC commentators Al Michaels and John Madden openly wondered if she was too much of a distraction for Tony.

It wasn't Carrie's first visit to the stadium. She was there on Thanksgiving when she sang during the halftime show at the Cowboys' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Carrie, the 2005 Idol, was named Female Vocalist of the Year at last month's Country Music Awards. She was also named Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards.

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