Adam Degross (@adamdegross)
Audio By Carbonatix
When the Dallas Cowboys teased the performer for the Red Kettle Kickoff, it was a video of an 18-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 kicker Brandon Aubrey, 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 his sixth studio album 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 T-shirt 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.
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 the far-reaching impact their donations to the Salvation Army could have on 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.” His band and backup singers coordinated matching Cowboys gear.
He then took it back to 2019’s Hollywood’s Bleeding and performed “Wow.” The camera panned to the stage for the iconic catchphrase, “How bout them Cowboys?” With some assistance from the Cowboys cheerleaders, Malone sounded right at home performing a song that appeared early on his setlist during the Big Ass Stadium Tour. He’s done this before at AT&T Stadium months ago, but something about the stakes of this game made this song the right choice. “Always goin’ for it, never punt fourth down / Last call, Hail Mary, Prescott touchdown,” he sang. If Malone was going this deep into his catalogue, surely his day one fans would hear “White Iverson” or “Congratulations” for his next song.
Instead, he returned to the current era Posty, closing out his halftime show with “I Had Some Help.” The bitter breakup song that features Morgan Wallen debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, and it’s one of those songs with a sticky hook that’ll have you singing it for hours. When Malone emphasized the lyrics, “They say, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work,’ hell, I had some help,” you knew the Cowboys locker room was fired up and ready to dominate the second half.
“I love you so much, Dallas, Texas,” Malone said, putting up a peace sign and calling the Cowboys “the best team in the world.”
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 continued, wishing everyone a happy holiday. “And we love you 94, we love you.”
Malone isn’t new to performing on the holidays. He was a surprise cameo during the Beyoncé Bowl in Houston in 2024, where he did a duet with Beyoncé for “Levii’s Jeans” on Christmas. All week leading up to this halftime show, it was a full-circle moment for him. The hometown boy who nobody knew is now on the biggest stage, performing his songs after years of putting in work. Although it could’ve benefited from a surprise guest (Jack White brought out Eminem during the Lions and Packers game), Malone pulled off a performance that showed he was a class act. The boost in morale allowed the Cowboys to beat the Chiefs 31-28, keeping their playoff hopes alive and extending their winning streak. They defeated two teams within days of each other that appeared in Super Bowl LIX.
We were proud that he got to have that moment in front of his friends and family. You can watch the full performance on the NFL’s YouTube page.
