It was all rhinestones and classic hits on during the NFL halftime show on Thanksgiving day. That’s thanks to the highly-celebrated performance put on by the star of the show, Dolly Parton, who wowed the crowd armed with her voice, a powerful team of dancers, and a sparkling cheerleader outfit to excite the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys.
The NFL has played football games on Thanksgiving Day since the league’s foundation in 1920. Since 1934, one game has always included the Detroit Lions, and since 1966, one game hosted by the Dallas Cowboys. Since 2006, a third game slot featured no fixed teams. While the game was a decisive win for the Cowboys this year, Parton still kept the excitement high by bringing out her classics and some beloved sports anthems.
Dolly Parton dazzled in a glittering cheerleader outfit for the Cowboys vs. Commanders halftime show on Thanksgiving Day
Parton ascended the stage of Arlington’s AT&T Stadium at 4:30 p.m. EST for the much anticipated Thanksgiving Day halftime show. Parton sported a sparkling blue and white cheerleader outfit to rev the crowd into further excitement – distinctly garbed in the silver, navy, and white of the Cowboys.
To open, Parton started with “Jolene.” Her performance was quickly accentuated by the entire cheerleader troupe dancing to her singing, including when she transitioned into work life anthem, “9 to 5” and then her own powerful, resonating take on Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and “We Will Rock You.”
The best things in life require patience
This hasn’t been Parton’s first brush with performing the Thanksgiving Day halftime show – it has, however, been the first time she’s accepted the offer.
“I’ve been offered that many times,” Parton recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. “I couldn’t do it because of other things, or I just didn’t think I was big enough to do it — to do that big of a production…. I’ve never done anything with that big of a production. I don’t know if I could have. I think at the time that’s what I was thinking.” Parton expressed similar feelings of unworthiness when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, feeling she did not belong when other artists might have missed their chance.
But on the field, Parton was treated to a very enthusiastic reception from the spectators at the stadium – and from the commentators who were supposed to dissect the match. Former Cowboys quarterback and current CBS commentator Tony Romo found himself distracted, preferring at times to praise her performance rather than discuss the match. It got to the point where Jim Nantz had to redirect the flow of conversation.
Did you catch Parton’s big cheerleader performance on Thanksgiving Day?
