DETROIT – The Detroit Lions and United Way announced Friday that Michigan native, singer and songwriter Kid Rock will perform during halftime of the Lions' 73rd Thanksgiving Day Classic Nov. 22 versus the Houston Texans.
This special halftime event will feature a live performance of Kid Rock's new song, "Detroit, Michigan," a feature track from his new album "Rebel Soul," which will be released Nov.19. The song pays homage to several of Detroit's music greats, including Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Bob Seger and Eminem in addition to icons like Henry Ford and Rosa Parks.
The 2012 United Way Thanksgiving Halftime Show, highlighted by Kid Rock's performance, will celebrate the 125th anniversary of United Way by thanking the millions of donors, advocates and volunteers who, over the years, have helped to advance the common good—creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the key building blocks of education, income and health.
Now in its 39th year, the United Way/NFL partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way's 2018 goal to get 1.9 million more young people healthy and active. Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations like United Way. PLAY 60 is implemented locally, as part of the team's Living for the City initiative in conjunction with Playworks Detroit and supported by Kinect for Xbox360. Since the campaign was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $250 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants and media time for public service announcements.
This is the 15th year that United Way has worked with the NFL on the Thanksgiving Halftime Show to inspire NFL fans across the country to get involved in their communities. Previous performers at the Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show have included Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, John Mellencamp and Enrique Iglesias. It takes hundreds of people from throughout southeastern Michigan volunteering their time and talents to deliver the 6-minute show, which is produced annually by sports/entertainment company e2k.