Watch Kellie's report for Jay Leno

Add sports reporter to Kellie Pickler’s growing résumé.

The Albemarle native and former “American Idol” finalist took her special sense of humor to Super Bowl XLII media day, as a correspondent for Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show.”

Pickler interviewed several players in advance of Sunday's game in Arizona, when the New York Giants face the New England Patriots.

Slideshow: Kellie at media day

She wasn’t shy about her interest in the NFL stars.

“He knows my name!” Kellie told the camera after chasing down Patriot Tedy Bruschi. “He was hot. Hold me back! Touchdown!”

Patriot Lonie Paxton also caught Kellie’s eye.

“Do you like country music?” she asked Paxton.

“I’m starting to, every time I hear that drawl you got going,” he said.

“Really? Well I could sit and talk to you all night if you want,” Kellie replied.

After rubbing Paxton’s tattoos, Kellie said, “This may just turn into Jay Leno’s speed dating.”

This wasn’t Pickler’s first appearance on “The Tonight Show.” In December 2006 she presented Leno with the perfect Christmas present. She also was a special correspondent on the red carpet in June 2006 for the MTV Video Music Awards.

Though it was clear some players went along with her gags – the Giants' Anthony Wright let Kellie, a former North Stanly High cheerleader, teach him how to use pom-poms – it was clear that others had no idea they were the butt of the joke.

“Now, what position do you play?” Kellie asked Raymond Ventrone of the Patriots.

“I play safety, and I play special teams,” he said.

“Wow, special teams? Awwww. Do people make fun of you because of that?”

Ventrone was taken aback. “For special teams? No, why? Is that bad?”

“No, no!” Kellie said with feigned sincerity.

Kellie got some football education, too. Shaun O’Hara of the Giants taught her how to snap the ball, but she seemed reluctant be too hands on.

“Like this?” she asked.

“No, no, no, no. We got to get up in there real friendly like,” he said.

“Golly,” Pickler said afterward. “I do not want to put my hands down there anymore.”