Eminem and Jack White Team Up for Their First Performance Together at Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show in Detroit
Jack White and Eminem Shine at Thanksgiving Halftime Show
Jack White delivered a spirited performance of “Seven Nation Army,” the iconic anthem of The White Stripes, during the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day Classic at Ford Field on November 27. The event gathered thousands of fans, celebrating both football and music.
The highlight of the halftime show was a surprise appearance by Eminem, another Detroit native who co-executive produced the event alongside his manager, Paul Rosenberg.
Eminem, dressed in a hoodie and a custom Lions jacket, joined White and his band midway through their seven-minute set for a mashup that included “Till I Collapse” and “Hello Operator.” This electrifying collaboration was flanked by White’s own tracks “That’s How I’m Feeling” and “Seven Nation Army.”
This onstage meeting marked a significant moment for both artists, occurring shortly after The White Stripes’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 8. Eminem himself was inducted in 2022. The performance also coincided with the tenth anniversary of the opening of White’s Third Man Records in Detroit.
For this occasion, White played a blue guitar while his band donned Lions gear. “I love you Detroit,” he exclaimed as the set concluded, resonating with the more than 400 Lions season ticket holders who participated in the show.
Both artists created limited edition merchandise for the event. The Ford Field PA system featured “Seven Nation Army” before the Lions took the field, along with White’s “Taking Me Back” during the first quarter. “Till I Collapse” was played as hype music prior to the game’s kickoff.
Shortly after the halftime performance, the collaborative track was released on major streaming platforms. White announced on Instagram, “Live at Ford Field’ Jack White III featuring @eminem is out on all streaming platforms now. Relive the Thanksgiving 2025 halftime performance.” The three-track release came via Third Man/Shady/Aftermath/Interscope.
This event marked the beginning of a new three-year partnership between the Detroit Lions, Jesse Collins Entertainment—known for producing previous Super Bowl halftime shows—and the duo of Eminem and Rosenberg. The pair previously collaborated with Collins for an upcoming concert celebrating the opening of Michigan Central.
Seth Dudowsky, executive VP at Jesse Collins Entertainment, shared that discussions about Eminem and Rosenberg joining the production team started early in the NFL season. White quickly emerged as a prominent figure in the halftime show plans.
“We talked about how we could put on a show that truly represents the attributes and values of the city,” Dudowsky explained. “Jack White was a perfect artist to represent rock ‘n’ roll and Detroit, particularly with his association with ‘Seven Nation Army,’ which has become synonymous with sports events.”
In addition, the Lions launched a new initiative with Feeding America in conjunction with the game, enhancing their community engagement efforts.
Adding to the day’s local flair, Grammy-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans, also a Detroit native, performed the National Anthem after flying in from Nashville. “It’s an honor,” Winans commented. “To be able to be here to do the anthem is a lot of fun, and honor and amazing.”
The Lions faced off against the NFC North division rival Green Bay Packers in what was the first of three NFL Thanksgiving Day games.
