Post Malone is coming home for the holidays. The global superstar takes the stage today during halftime of the Thanksgiving showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, marking the latest chapter in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
While the game itself carries massive playoff implications for both franchises, the halftime show offers a unique celebration for a musician who spent his formative years in North Texas.
What Is Post Malone’s Connection to the Dallas Cowboys?
He will take the stage midway through the second game of the day, and the moment serves as a true homecoming for Malone. His father worked with the Cowboys organization for nearly two decades, and the rapper has frequently referenced the team in his songs. The 2025 performance also represents a significant milestone, marking exactly one decade since his breakout into the music industry.
Malone is currently 30 years old. He was born in Syracuse on July 4, 1995, but his family moved to Dallas when he was nine due to his father’s job. The artist has said in many instances that he “grew up a Cowboys fan and have been watching this halftime show for years.”
This holiday tradition dates back to 1997, when Reba McEntire kicked off the first show. Since then, the list of performers has expanded to include notable artists such as Jessica Simpson, Creed, Destiny’s Child, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, and Pitbull.
A lot is on the line. The Cowboys are coming off a two-game winning streak, but they currently have around an 11% chance of making the playoffs. The NFC features four teams with at least seven wins who will be fighting for a Wild Card spot, leaving Dallas in a precarious position with a 5-5-1 record.
A loss today would all but end the season for the Dallas Cowboys, especially with the Philadelphia Eagles holding a sizeable lead in the NFC East.
Can the Defense Stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs?
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming to town looking to spoil the holiday. Although Patrick Mahomes remains one of the most effective quarterbacks in the league, the Chiefs have been vulnerable in 2025, having won just one of their five away games this season.
They are also in danger of missing the playoffs after making the Super Bowl in five of the previous six seasons.
Dallas had a poor start to their campaign, particularly as the defense struggled to adapt to the loss of Micah Parsons. However, the unit has stabilized its run defense since acquiring Quinnen Williams in a trade. Despite the improvement, our PFSN Defense Impact Metric still ranks the unit as the 2nd-worst in the league with a D grade.
