In 2009, Hedden left the NFL and has since composed music independently for, among others, NASCAR Media Group, Golf Channel, World Poker Tour, Hock Films, ESPN and The SEC Network.
After nine months, Hedden was awarded the Emmy Award for Musical Score;[1] working with David Robidoux, Hedden would eventually win four more Emmys for the specials Favre 4Ever, Emmitt Smith: Run With History, NFL Century – In Their Words, and Unitas.
[2] Together, Hedden and Robidoux would also create the score for History Channel's Blood in a Stone.
[3] One of the pieces he composed, A New Game, featured an unusual 15/8 time signature; the piece would eventually be played at National Football League games whenever the visiting team calls a timeout.
[4] His work is also featured in the Madden NFL video game series.