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Press Release

Detroit Lions/United Way Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show

Detroit, MI – The Detroit Lions and United Way announced today that Michigan native, singer and songwriter, Kid Rock, will perform during halftime of the Lions’ 73rd Thanksgiving Day Classic November 22 vs. 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 November 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, Enrique Iglesias and the Goo Goo Dolls. 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.

 

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About United Way

United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health.  United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.  LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org

 

About the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL), and play their home games at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. The team located to Detroit in 1934 and is the National Football League's fifth oldest franchise. The Detroit Lions finished the 2011 regular season with a 10-6 record and earned a berth in the NFL playoffs. In addition to professional football, the Detroit Lions have a very visible and active community relations role in the Detroit area. With a focus on health and wellness and community revitalization, the Lions have contributed $6.2 million through philanthropic efforts since 1991. For more information, visit www.DetroitLions.com.

 

About PLAY 60

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations.  PLAY 60 also is implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs.  Since the program 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.  The NFL and its teams have built more than 125 NFL Youth Fitness Zones, organized more than 1,500 PLAY 60 youth events, and integrated programs into more than 77,000 schools nationwide since the campaign launched. 

Media Contact


Clare Graff, NFL
212/450-2435, Clare.Graff@nfl.com

Bill Meierling, United Way Worldwide
703/836-7112, Ext. 283, Bill.Meierling@uww.unitedway.org

Ben Manges, Detroit Lions
313/216-4220, Ben.Manges@lions.nfl.net