United Way of America, the National Football League and the Detroit Lions are collaborating with multi-platinum recording artist Mary J. Blige for the Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Halftime Show during the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game November 27 at 12:30 p.m. (ET).
The halftime show will be broadcast nationally on FOX from Ford Field to an expected audience of 40 million fans across the nation.
Mary J will perform one of her classic hits as well as songs from her latest release Love & Life. In addition, celebrity newlyweds, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson will make cameo appearances throughout the show from LA.
Watching Thanksgiving games and halftime shows has become a tradition for many families. Through this show, United Way hopes to inspire millions of NFL fans to get involved in their own communities.
Whether it's coaching a youth football team, spending time with seniors or serving meals at a soup kitchen, anyone can get involved and make a difference in their own way.
Often called "The Queen of Hip Hop Soul," Blige is known for her mix of soul bearing songs of faith and inspiration blended with hip-hop beats.
This superstar's charity work has been as much a part of her journey as the music she creates. She has appeared in anti-drug public service announcements, worked with various education groups and helped raise money for people with AIDS.
She received Rolling Stone Magazine's "Do Something Award" for her humanitarian work and she received Rock the Vote's highest honor, the Patrick Lippert Award for her public service and humanitarian efforts.
United Way and the NFL applaud people like Mary J. Blige who are volunteering in their communities to help make a difference.
Now in its 30th year, the partnership between the NFL and United Way is the longest running charitable collaboration of its kind. The PSA Series, broadcast each week of the season, to more than 113 million viewers has kept United Way in the forefront of people's minds for three decades. No other vehicle has been more effective in providing visibility for United Way. Since the NFL and United Way combined forces, resources to United Way have grown from $800 million annually to more than $3.95 billion to strengthen local communities across America.
