Musicians Jack White and Eminem present groundbreaking Thanksgiving halftime show and release unexpected live EP

Detroit’s annual NFL Thanksgiving Day Classic took on a new life when Jack White and Eminem shared the stage for the first time, turning the halftime show at the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game into a momentous occasion that quickly gained widespread attention on the internet.

Originally planned as a typical Thanksgiving game at Ford Field, the event became a local celebration when White, the scheduled halftime performer, began his set with the song “That’s How I’m Feeling” before bringing out a surprise guest halfway through. The reaction from the 65,000 fans in the stadium made it clear that Detroit’s own Eminem had made a dramatic entrance onto the field, sporting a hoodie and customized Lions jacket.

The duo, both iconic figures from Detroit, wowed the audience with a mix of The White Stripes’ “Hello Operator” and Eminem’s hit “‘Till I Collapse,” transforming the stadium atmosphere from a football game to a full-fledged concert experience. White closed the performance with a electrifying rendition of “Seven Nation Army,” featuring a Lions-blue guitar and a band dressed in the team’s colors.

Fans and viewers alike hailed the performance as one of the best NFL halftime shows in recent memory, with some even ranking it above several Super Bowl productions. Social media platforms, including Reddit and X, were flooded with clips and enthusiastic feedback about the memorable moment. The event not only entertained but also highlighted the rich music history of Detroit, coinciding with The White Stripes’ recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Eminem’s own Hall of Fame induction.

Notably, the performance took place during the 10th anniversary of White’s Third Man Records reopening in Detroit, underscoring the city’s cultural legacy. Produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, known for their work on major events like the Super Bowl halftime show, the Thanksgiving performance marked the beginning of a new three-year collaboration between the Detroit Lions, Jesse Collins Entertainment, Eminem, and his manager Paul Rosenberg.

Following the electrifying show, White and Eminem released a surprise three-song live EP titled “Live At Ford Field” on various streaming platforms, capturing the essence of their halftime collaboration directly from the event. The EP includes performances of “That’s How I’m Feeling,” the mash-up of “Hello Operator” and “‘Till I Collapse,” and the iconic “Seven Nation Army.”

Leading up to the halftime performance, CeCe Winans set the stage by delivering a powerful rendition of the U.S. National Anthem, adding to the Detroit-centric atmosphere of the day. Despite the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Green Bay Packers, the real victory of the day was the unforgettable halftime show that united music fans and football enthusiasts in a unique and historic experience.