Two Detroit legends brought their hometown energy to Ford Field during the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Jack White delivered an electrifying halftime performance that became even more memorable when a surprise guest emerged from beneath the stage.
Eminem joins Jack White for historic Thanksgiving halftime performance at Lions game (Image via eminem.news)
Eminem joins Jack White for historic Thanksgiving halftime performance at Lions game (Image via eminem.news)
The seven-minute spectacle marked the first collaboration between these two iconic musicians who helped put Detroit on the music map.
Eminem Joins Jack White for Historic Thanksgiving Halftime Performance at Lions Game
White kicked off with the song “That’s How I’m Feeling” from his 2024 album No Name, beforebeing joined on stage by Detroit’s own Eminem for a high-octane hard rock mashup of the rapper’s track “Till I Collapse”.
@nfl only right in detroit 🔥 #nfl #jackwhite #eminem #packerslions #thanksgiving ♬ original sound – NFL
The superstar rapper, decked out in a hoodie and custom-made Lions jacket, electrified the sold-out crowd by joining White and his band halfway through their seven-minute set for a mashup of Eminem’s “Till I Collapse” with the White Stripes’ “Hello Operator”.
Eminem rose from the bowels of the stage, sending the already amped-up crowd into a frenzy as he rapped over the White Stripes’ song “Hello Operator” and performed a rock-infused version of his own 2002 anthem.
More than 400 Lions season ticket holders who volunteered for the show stood in front of the stage and cheered along.
White then brought the halftime performance to a showstopping performance of the sports stadium favorite, “Seven Nation Army,” accompanied by the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders on the field. “I love you Detroit,” the rocker shouted as the performance came to a feedback-drenched conclusion.
The appearance was deliberate. The Detroit Lions recentlyannounced a multi-year partnership with Eminem, real name Marshall Mathers, and his manager Paul Rosenberg for the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon.
The Detroit natives will consult the club on talent selection and all aspects of halftime production through 2027 for the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Classic.
Detroit Lions President & CEO Rod Wood said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Marshall and Paul, who are two of the most accomplished and respected names in the music industry, not to mention longtime Lions fans.
Their reputation in the business will attract top-tier talent and help us solidify this annual performance as one of the most anticipated cultural moments on the NFL calendar”.
Rosenberg responded, “It’s an honor for us to team up with the Lions and be a part of the greatest tradition in Detroit sports. We look forward to putting together unforgettable shows featuring world-class artists for the fans at Ford Field and the tens of millions watching around the country”.
Jesse Collins Entertainment VP Seth Dudowsky told Billboard that talks with Eminem and Rosenberg began early in the NFL season. Once on board, White quickly became a focus of the Thanksgiving halftime discussion. “We aimed to create a show true to the city, the Lions, Eminem, and Paul’s vision,” Dudowsky said.
White performed weeks after his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction with Meg White as the White Stripes. His anthem “Seven Nation Army” proves why he remains a top choice for stadium events worldwide.