Adam Degross (@adamdegross)
Audio By Carbonatix
When the Dallas Cowboys teased the performer for the Red Kettle Kickoff, it was a video of an eighteen-wheeler barreling down the highway. There were clues to who it was going to be through the Cowboys memorabilia: a bobblehead of Dak Prescott sat on the dashboard next to a Salvation Army bell. A person emerges from the truck wearing jeans and cowboy boots, greeted by the Cowboys cheerleaders and their mascot.
Given how big a Cowboys fan Post Malone is, it was almost too obvious that the Grapevine native was returning home. As soon as Malone was announced as one of the halftime performers for the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day games, along with Jack White and Lil Jon, we knew this was going to be the most-watched NFL regular season game ever. It’s the Cowboys versus the Kansas City Chiefs on Turkey Day, a perfect confluence of three American brands. Add in Posty, who ascended into country after F-1 Trillion, and this honored, Texas-sized Red Kettle Kickoff tradition continues to be a strong rallying cry to donate to the Salvation Army’s holiday giving campaign.
During Malone’s Apple Music interview with Kelleigh Bannen last year, he spoke about how he’s “happy” these days. “I can’t remember the last album that I made where I was like, ‘I have a two-year-old [daughter]. I’m 29 years old. I’m taking it easy and slowing it down,” he said. “It’s really nice meeting people in Nashville that made me feel so welcomed…for once, I’m not sad anymore.”
Malone’s happiness was evident in the promo videos reppin’ the Cowboys leading up to the Nov. 27 game, as a lifelong fan who used to sleep in Texas Stadium while his dad worked. The special performance featured a limited-edition Posty tee drop, which fans could purchase in advance. During Thanksgiving week, Dallas rappers gave back to their community with turkey giveaways, one of which was hosted by BigXThaPlug, who handed them out alongside his label artists at Rudy’s Chicken.
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Speculation about Malone’s setlist and special guests had us wondering just how big he wants this to be. BigXThaPlug pops out for their new song “Cold?” What about Taylor Swift, a frequent Chiefs game attendee, who often is in a skybox cheering on her fiancé, Travis Kelce? Could she take the road trip to join Malone for their song “Fortnight?”
Before the game, Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” introduced the hoedown between the Cowboys and the Chiefs. It wasn’t a surprise that Malone did this halftime show with no special guests, representing Cowboys Nation and Dallas to a national audience. In a recorded message before his performance, he reminded viewers of how far their donations to the Salvation Army help their neighbors in need. “Your donation helps put food on the table, presents under the tree and so much more,” Malone said. “Go big and give bigger by finding a red kettle near you or donating online today. I love you.”
Wearing a Cowboys jacket filled with pins, including No. 94 that honored defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who tragically died by suicide, he opened with a somber version of his Tim McGraw featuring song “Wrong Ones.”
He then took it back to 2019’s Hollywood’s Bleeding and performed “Wow” with some assistance from the Cowboys cheerleaders. The day one fans definitely wanted to hear “White Iverson” or “Congratulations” for his next song.
Instead, he returned to the country music side of things, closing out his halftime show with “I Had Some Help.” It was an emotional tribute to Kneeland and one that left him in our prayers.
“I love you more than I can ever say,” Malone said, wishing everyone a happy holiday. “And we love you 94, we love you.”
You can watch the full performance here.
