Dolly Parton, the sports world 'Will Always Love You': Five unforgettable sports moments from country icon's life

Dolly Parton dazzled at halftime of the Dallas Cowboys' 2023 Thanksgiving game

Parton performed at halftime of the Cowboys' Thanksgiving game against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 23, 2023. She donned a Dallas cheerleader's outfit, singing hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," as well as covers of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions." 

"I thought, 'Well, at my age, if I can pull it off, it's going to be good. And if I don't, I can just pass it off as an old woman doing a stupid a— thing,'" Parton later told Erin Jensen of USA Today of her performance at 77. "I've always said my desire to do something is greater than my fear of it."

Parton, unsurprisingly, stole the show from the Cowboys, who crushed the Commanders 45-10. She also made a charitable contribution before the game, donating $1M to The Salvation Army, one of the Cowboys' partners. 

That's just one example of Parton's generosity. Per Forbes contributor Hannah Abraham, she donated as much as $600M through multiple charities over the course of her career. 

Dolly Parton performed one of the greatest renditions of "Rocky Top" in 2023 

Parton, a lifelong supporter of the Volunteers, sang the SEC school's fight song at the end of the first quarter of a 38-10 home loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 18, 2023. Former Tennessee quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning escorted her onto the field.

Parton sang the rendition for approximately one minute. A sold-out crowd at Neyland Stadium — which can hold up to 101,915 spectators — erupted after her performance, despite an audio mishap. 

"Well, I couldn't hear, but I love the song," Parton said, via Danica Sauter of WSMV-TV in Nashville. 

Dolly also told the CBS broadcast she was grateful to perform at the venue in Knoxville, saying, "It's just good to be home, always. 

Dolly Parton sponsored a NASCAR driver in 2019 

Parton sponsored Tyler Reddick for his race in the Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, in 2019. The pink-and-white No. 2 Chevy Camaro featured Dolly Records decals and Parton's face on the hood of the car.

"Dolly is an icon and has had a lot of success in her career, which is something I admire while trying to build my own success in NASCAR," Reddick said, via the Associated Press. 

"Hopefully, we can take Dolly and the No. 2 Camaro to Victory Lane this weekend in her home state of Tennessee. I think that would be really special for everyone who is a fan of hers."

Reddick almost took the checkered flag. He drove to a second-place finish behind Christopher Bell. Guess he didn't have "78 speed" like Parton did when she performed an accelerated version of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1977. 

Dolly Parton spent the afternoon at Yankee Stadium in 1987 

Parton visited Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees, for her variety show, "Dolly," which premiered in September 1987. Dave Righetti, Rick Cerone, Ron Guidry and Mike Pagliarulo cameoed in the segment. 

The former Yankees stars gave Parton a bat and let her take some swings along the first-base line. 

"Now what if I actually hit this thing? Am I going to hurt somebody?" she said.

Parton didn't hurt anybody and displayed a decent swing. After barreling it up, the Yankees gave her a navy blue jacket and a hat upon her request. She never became a supporter of the Bronx Bombers, but their colors suited her.

Dolly Parton shouted out her high school in 2024 and 2026

In December 2024, Parton, an alumna of Sevier County High School in Sevierville, Tennessee, congratulated the school's football team on winning its second 5A state championship after it went undefeated for the second time in school history. Her great-nephew, Nolan Parton, played as an offensive/defensive lineman for the squad.

"Hey Nolan and the entire Sevier County High School football team and coach [Todd] Loveday, I understand congratulations are in order for the 5A football state championship," Parton said on X. "Go Bears."

That's not the first time Parton congratulated her high school. She also presented the Smoky Bears with their 1999 state championship trophy before their first game in 2000. And she congratulated the girls' basketball team for winning a state championship in the 4A division in March 2026. 

"Well, I guess I'm not the only famous person out of East Tennessee anymore," Parton said on Facebook. "Anyways, congratulations on winning the state championship. Girls, you really knocked it out of the park, well out of the court, I guess I should say. But anyway, I just wanted to say congratulations. I am so proud of you."