Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYThu, November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM UTC·3 min readThe Dallas Cowboys needed a halftime show performer for Thanksgiving. Turns out, Post Malone was just the "Guy For That."
Post Malone, who dabbles in a little bit of everything when it comes to music, is set to perform the halftime show for the annual Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game. It's a big moment for the artist, who gets the privilege of performing for, and watching, his favorite NFL team on the league's biggest holidays.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYet the music won't be the only thing on Thursday's marquee in Dallas.
It's set to be a star-studded afternoon in the Lone Star State, featuring the defending AFC-champion Kansas City Chiefs and the hometown Cowboys – who have suddenly rediscovered their winning ways.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Post Malone.
Much like the dinner table on Turkey Day, there is something for everyone.
Here's what to know about the halftime performer for the Thanksgiving matchup between the Cowboys and Chiefs.
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
Thanksgiving 1977 marks the last time that the Dallas Cowboys did not host a Thanksgiving Day game. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Miami Dolphins at Busch Stadium. Quarterback Bob Griese led the Dolphins to a dominating 55-10 win. A year later, the Cowboys were back in the Thanksgiving spotlight, a tradition the franchise hasn't relinquished since.
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
2 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
3 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
4 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
5 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
6 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
7 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
8 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
9 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
10 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
11 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Thanksgiving 1977 marks the last time that the Dallas Cowboys did not host a Thanksgiving Day game. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Miami Dolphins at Busch Stadium. Quarterback Bob Griese led the Dolphins to a dominating 55-10 win. A year later, the Cowboys were back in the Thanksgiving spotlight, a tradition the franchise hasn't relinquished since.12 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL’s Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
Who is the Cowboys' Thanksgiving halftime show performer?
Post Malone will be the halftime entertainment during the Cowboys' Thanksgiving game against the Chiefs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe music star gets the best of both worlds on the holiday – performing in front of a big audience and also getting the chance to cheer on his favorite football team, the Cowboys. It's also the event that launches The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.
"I'm from Texas," Post Malone said in a statement, via the Cowboys' official site. "I grew up a Cowboys fan and have been watching this halftime show for years. It's a real honor to be part of the Red Kettle Kickoff with The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys and help bring hope to so many people."
It's a stage that has been graced by the likes of Lainey Wilson, Dolly Parton, Luke Combs and more in recent years to commemorate the "Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show."
Who is Post Malone?
Post Malone is a 30-year-old singer, rapper, songwriter and producer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBorn in Syracuse, New York, Austin Richard Post was primarily raised in Texas after his family moved when he was nine. He eventually adopted the stage name Post Malone and began his music career in 2011. The artist burst onto the scene in 2015 with his hit single, "White Iverson."
He has totaled 11 Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, six MTV Video Music Awards, and 18 Grammy Award nominations in his music career.
While he began his career with more rap and R&B, Post Malone has begun to dabble in other genres, primarily country music. He released his debut country album, "F1-Trillion" in 2024, which saw various collaborations with some of the biggest names in the genre like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton and more.
Is Post Malone a Cowboys fan?
Post Malone is a Cowboys fan.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe artist is no stranger to Cowboys games and routinely wears the team's gear wherever he goes. As if there was any doubt, he even confirmed it in the Cowboys' official site release for the halftime show announcement.
Post Malone's father used to work in food and beverage for the team, meaning the artist used to sleep at the stadium from time to time when he was younger.
Team owner Jerry Jones shared his excitement about the halftime show, a story about Post Malone's connection to the Cowboys, which runs much deeper than fandom.
"Extraordinarily excited," Jones said, via The Athletic's Jon Machota. "You know his background. He used to come over every night and sleep in [Texas Stadium], when his dad was in charge of all of our beverage. And he slept over there for years, because his mother was working. And then she would finish her work and then he'd go home. [When he was] a little boy. Oh, yeah, for several years. Probably four or five [years]. Had a cot for him and he slept."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom behind the scenes to being front-and-center, Post Malone's Cowboys journey has come full circle.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is performing Cowboys-Chiefs Thanksgiving halftime show?
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