Rock star Bret Michaels will perform at halftime during the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers Sunday night football matchup, which will see Aaron Rodgers face his former team of 18 years
22:39 ET, 24 Oct 2025
Aaron Rodgers stands before the national anthem
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Aaron Rodgers will face the Packers in a retro jersey with Bret Michaels playing at halftime
The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning back the clock in more ways than one this Sunday night. For one generation, the blast from the past will involve one of the most popular hair metal bands of the '80s, while others will see the resurgence of an OG reality TV star.
On Sunday, when Pittsburgh and Aaron Rodgers host his former team, the Green Bay Packers, they'll do it in 1933 throwback jerseys and with a halftime act straight out of the retro VH1. Poison frontman Bret Michaels will perform at halftime of the nationally televised NFL matchup, which was confirmed by the team on Friday.
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The show represents a full-circle moment for Michaels, who grew up supporting the black and gold team like PGA Tour star Jason Day, before becoming one of America’s most well-known rock voices. In a Facebook photo wearing a Steelers tee and holding a guitar, he described his return home as "nothing but a good time" and promised a "plaza party" during NBC's Sunday Night Football.
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The Steelers will embrace their 1930s origins as Michaels will embody the proactive, unashamed energy that made Poison a signature band of the late '80s.
Their biggest hits include 'Talk Dirty to Me' and 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn,' which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988 and later became iconic anthems on greatest hits compilations.
At halftime, Michaels will sing to a live backing track recorded earlier this week, a move he explained was due to time constraints during setup.
"We’re gonna bring all of our diabetic friends, all of our unbelievable military, active duty, and veterans," said Michaels, who has Type 1 diabetes and is the son of a veteran. "We’re gonna make this special."
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The Steelers (4–2) go into Sunday's game after just barely losing 33-31 to the Bengals after Cincinnati made a mid-season trade for Joe Flacco to replace an injured Joe Burrow.
It was Pittsburgh's second loss since acquiring Rodgers, who will now face the franchise where he built a Hall of Fame career, but now wearing black and gold.
Despite leaving Green Bay in 2023 due to an alleged breakdown in communication with the front office, Rodgers said he harbors no ill will toward his former organization.
He also made it clear that his play on game day won't be rooted in revenge.
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Aaron Rodgers passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals
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Rodgers will face Green Bay for the first time since joining the Steelers
"I grew up there. I spent 18 years there from 21 to 39, so I'm thankful for my time there. Obviously would've loved to ride off in the sunset after a Super Bowl win, but that's not the way the league goes sometimes," he said. "I knew the writing was on the wall when Jordan (Love) was picked."
Pittsburgh and Green Bay have met 37 times, with the Packers leading 20-17, including a 31-25 victory in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns that night and will look to dominate, no matter his uniform.