NFL Halftime Show Yields Holiday Ad for United Way

12.05.05 :: NFL football on Thanksgiving Day is one of the most treasured traditions of the holiday season and United Way's halftime show with the NFL has become a welcomed addition.

The Thanksgiving Day halftime show celebrates the United Way's longtime partnership with the NFL and serves to thank and inspire the millions of donors and volunteers who help United Way make a visible impact on communities. It’s those donors and volunteers who bring us together to focus on the most critical needs in our communities. Graciously hosted by the Detroit Lions, the halftime show was presented to 65,000 football fans at Ford Field and broadcast live to more than 40 million television viewers nationwide.

This year’s show took place during the Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons game on November 24 and featured three videos on community service narrated by Morgan Freeman, Mariah Carey and Barry Sanders.

View a clip from he show here. (Windows Media)

View the entire halftime show here.

The past eight years have featured live performances by some of the country's hottest performers including Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, John Mellencamp, Enrique Iglesias and Boyz II Men. It takes hundreds of people from throughout southeastern Michigan volunteering their time and talents to deliver the 10-minute show, which is produced annually by the premiere sports/entertainment company e2k. In the true spirit of the Thanksgiving season, this joint effort demonstrates the power of teamwork.