Eminem performs during halftime of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Eminem gives Lions fans Thanksgiving surprise with cameo at halftime show

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 27, 2025 3:55 PM ET

"The Real Slim Shady" made an unexpected appearance at the Detroit Lions' annual Thanksgiving game.

During the middle of the halftime show of Detroit's home game against the Green Bay Packers, Jack White of the White Stripes brought out Eminem. The Lions crowd subsequently went bonkers, and understandably so. The 53-year-old Detroit native showed he can still drop bars.

That's not the only role the 15-time Grammy Award winner played in the halftime show. He and his longtime manager, Paul Rosenberg, also served as consultants for the event.

What did Eminem do as a consultant?

On Nov. 13, the Lions announced they agreed to a partnership with Eminem and Rosenberg that will run through 2027. As consultants, they assist with talent selection and halftime production for the show.

Eminem joins Jack White on stage for the NFL Thanksgiving Halftime Show! pic.twitter.com/gtIkusVtWR
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2025

"It's an honor for us to team up with the Lions and be a part of the greatest tradition in Detroit sports," Rosenberg said in a statement, per ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "We look forward to putting together unforgettable shows featuring world-class artists for the fans at Ford Field and the tens of millions watching around the country."

The Lions have played on Thanksgiving since 1934. In recent years, their halftime show has featured rappers Big Sean (2021) and Jack Harlow (2023) and country music star Shaboozey (2024).

Detroit WR Jameson Williams, however, said having Eminem in the fold gives the show a local flavor, which he considers refreshing.

"I think that's good for the culture, too. That'll be huge for us to get them down there," Williams said, per Woodyard. "I think that's big of getting a Detroiter to get in the mix and pick someone and help the organization because of the culture, I feel like that plays a part in bringing the team a long way and bringing everybody together."

And it's safe to say that Eminem is certainly doing his part after his cameo.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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