On Thanksgiving Day 2025, three of music’s most distinct voices—Post Malone, Jack White, and Lil Jon—will take the field for the NFL’s annual Thanksgiving tripleheader, turning stadiums into concert halls and reigniting a cultural debate that refuses to die: Was Creed’s 2001 halftime show the most unforgettable—or the most absurd—in NFL history?
Three Shows, Three Sounds, One Tradition
The NFL’s John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration will feature three very different performances across three time slots. Post Malone, whose genre-blending hits like "Circles" and "Candy Paint" have dominated streaming charts for years, will headline the primetime showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The announcement, made on November 10, 2025, came just 17 days before kickoff, a last-minute surprise that left fans scrambling to secure tickets—or at least a good seat near the speakers. Meanwhile, in Detroit, Jack White—rock’s reclusive genius and newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee—will bring his raw, blues-drenched sound to Ford Field during the Detroit Lions’ game. Eminem and Paul Rosenberg are executive producing the show, a nod to Detroit’s enduring hip-hop and rock legacy. And in Baltimore, at M&T Bank Stadium, the high-octane energy of Lil Jon will ignite the 8:20 p.m. ET broadcast of the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens matchup, with Renée Elise Goldsberry delivering the national anthem.The Ghost of Creed Haunts the Gridiron
But no matter how flashy the new lineup, the conversation keeps circling back to November 22, 2001. That’s when Creed—a band that had already peaked commercially—performed "Higher" at Texas Stadium during a Cowboys-Braves game that ended 26-24. The performance included shirtless dancers, white fabric swirling like ghostly flags, and cheerleaders in matching outfits. The PA system, still announcing Salvation Army donations, was drowned out. It was, by all accounts, bizarre. And yet, it stuck. Now, nearly 25 years later, conservative commentators like Jack Posobiec (James R. Posobiec II) are resurrecting the moment as a cultural artifact. "Sure would be a shame if @TPUSA hosted a counter-Superbowl halftime show with Creed," he tweeted on September 29, 2025, referencing Turning Point USA’s "All American Halftime Show"—an alternative event meant to counter what they call "woke" entertainment. Online, the demand for a Creed reunion has grown louder, even though neither the Cowboys nor Broncos made the playoffs that year, and Ryan Leaf was the quarterback for Dallas. The game itself? Forgotten. The halftime show? Etched in meme history.Why This Matters Beyond the Music
This isn’t just about who plays a better guitar solo. It’s about how sports events become cultural flashpoints. The NFL has long walked a tightrope between entertainment and tradition. In 2001, the league didn’t anticipate that a poorly reviewed rock band’s spectacle would become a symbol of something larger: a moment when spectacle overtook substance. Today, with Post Malone’s pop-rock fusion, Jack White’s gritty authenticity, and Lil Jon’s unapologetic Southern energy, the NFL is making a statement: diversity in sound is now the standard. Yet, the nostalgia for Creed isn’t about music. It’s about a time when the internet was still young, when viral moments were rare, and when a single halftime show could dominate watercooler talk for months. Now, with TikTok clips and YouTube compilations of Creed’s performance amassing millions of views, it’s clear: some moments don’t fade. They evolve.
What to Expect from the 2025 Shows
Post Malone’s performance will likely blend his signature trap-rock sound with pyrotechnics and surprise guests—rumors swirl about a possible appearance by Dolly Parton, who recently praised his "country soul." Jack White’s set, according to insiders, will feature a rare live rendition of "Seven Nation Army," possibly with the Detroit Youth Choir joining him. Lil Jon, meanwhile, has promised "crunk bombs," crowd chants, and a surprise appearance by a Baltimore native—perhaps E-40 or Wale. The NFL isn’t just booking artists. It’s curating generational contrasts: the polished mainstream, the underground icon, and the hip-hop pioneer. And for the first time, all three shows will be streamed live on NFL+ with augmented reality overlays, letting fans see lyrics, behind-the-scenes footage, and even player reactions mid-performance.Legacy Isn’t Just About Hits
Esquire’s recent piece, "Never mind that no one will ever again top the glory of Creed playing 'Higher' back in 2001," captures the absurd reverence surrounding that moment. But here’s the twist: legacy isn’t always earned. Sometimes, it’s accidentally carved into the culture by a shirtless dancer, a malfunctioning mic, and a stadium full of confused fans. Post Malone doesn’t need to top Creed. He just needs to be himself. And if he does? The NFL might finally move on from the past. Or maybe, just maybe, the ghost of Creed will keep showing up every November—because some moments, no matter how strange, refuse to be forgotten.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Creed still being talked about in 2025?
Creed’s 2001 halftime show became a cultural oddity because of its surreal visuals—shirtless dancers, swirling fabric, and a PA system drowned out mid-appeal for donations. Though the game was forgettable and the band’s popularity was fading, the performance went viral in the early internet era and has since been immortalized in memes and conservative nostalgia circles. Even now, it’s referenced as a symbol of "authentic" American spectacle.
How does Jack White’s performance connect to Detroit?
Jack White, born Jack Gillis, rose to fame in Detroit’s underground rock scene, playing at venues like the Gold Dollar in the late 1990s. The White Stripes were a product of Detroit’s gritty musical DNA. His halftime show at Ford Field isn’t just a gig—it’s a homecoming. With Eminem and Paul Rosenberg producing, the event is a tribute to Detroit’s legacy in both rock and hip-hop, two genres that shaped modern American music.
Is this the first time the NFL has had three halftime shows on Thanksgiving?
No. The NFL has featured halftime performances during all three Thanksgiving games since 2007, but 2025 marks the first time all three artists are major, genre-defining headliners with no overlap in style. Past years often featured one big name and two mid-tier acts. This year, Post Malone, Jack White, and Lil Jon represent three distinct musical universes—pop-rock, garage-rock, and crunk—making it a historic diversity milestone.
What’s the significance of Lil Jon performing in Baltimore?
Lil Jon, known as the "father of crunk," brings a Southern hip-hop energy that contrasts with Baltimore’s rich East Coast rap tradition. His performance signals the NFL’s willingness to embrace regional sounds beyond pop and rock. With Renée Elise Goldsberry singing the anthem, the show blends Broadway, hip-hop, and football culture—a rare, intentional fusion that reflects America’s musical melting pot.
Could Post Malone’s show surpass Creed’s legacy?
It won’t need to. Creed’s legacy is built on shock value and unintended irony. Post Malone’s strength lies in authenticity and broad appeal. If his show goes viral for the right reasons—emotional performances, surprise guests, or a viral dance moment—it won’t replace Creed. It’ll simply become its own landmark. The NFL doesn’t need to top the absurd; it just needs to be memorable.
Why did the NFL announce Post Malone so close to the game?
The late announcement—just 17 days before kickoff—was likely strategic. It generated buzz, forced social media chatter, and capitalized on the momentum of his recent album release. NFL marketing teams have learned that surprise reveals outperform planned announcements. Plus, with the Creed nostalgia wave rising, timing the reveal to ride that wave was a calculated move.
