Rank'Em
Rank'Em: 25 Years Of Thanksgiving Halftime Shows
Let's take a pictorial look back at not only the halftime entertainment, but the games around the show over the last 25 seasons.
1997: While Reba McEntire electrified the crowd as the inaugural halftime performer for the Red Kettle kickoff for The Salvation Army, it proved to be one of the few highlights for the home crowd as the Cowboys lost to the Oilers, 27-14.
1998: It was a good day to be named Randy. The halftime show was a treat, thanks to recording artist Randy Travis, but the day belonged to Vikings rookie Randy Moss, who caught three passes and three three touchdowns in a Minnesota 46-36 win.
1999: The third time for the Thanksgiving Day halftime show was certainly a charm as Clint Black put on a show. The Cowboys' defense did as well, spoiling Jimmy Johnson's return to Dallas as the Cowboys picked off Dan Marino five times in a 20-0 rout.
2000: With Jessica Simpson and Billy Gillman sharing the stage in a Dallas-themed halftime show, Randy Moss again torched the Cowboys as the Vikings handed Dallas a 27-15 defeat on a rainy Thanksgiving Day.
2001: A high-flying performance from Creed rocked the Texas Stadium crowd at halftime, followed by an entertaining shootout between the Broncos and Cowboys. Denver edged Dallas for a 26-24 win.
2002: Lee Ann Rimes put on quite a show for the fans, as did Emmitt Smith. The throwback uniforms seemed to inspire the veteran back, who ran past the Redskins in a 27-20 Dallas victory.
2003: Toby Keith was one of the few bright spots for the Cowboys fans who were stunned to watch the Dolphins rip through the Cowboys, who were having a surprising season under Bill Parcells. Miami's 40-21 win was just a minor speed bump in the team's 10-6 season.
2004: It was a family affair on Thanksgiving Day as brothers Julius Jones and Thomas Jones battled it out in a matchup between the Cowboys and Bears. Julius had 150 rushing yards in a breakout performance for the rookie. Drew Henson started the game but Vinny Testaverde had to finish it, leading the Cowboys to a 21-7 win.
2005: The Cowboys fans not only got to see Sheryl Crow dazzle the crowd at halftime, but some free football as the Broncos and Cowboys went into overtime. However, Ron Dayne was too strong in the end, lifting Denver to a dramatic win.
2006: Not even Carrie Underwood's presence could overtake the excitement being generated by Romo-mania. Tony Romo had recently taken over as the starting quarterback and he didn't disappoint in his first Thanksgiving Day game, throwing for five touchdowns in a win over the Bucs.
2007: What a better combination than an American Idol winner and an American tradition. Kelly Clarkson was the annual performer at halftime as the Cowboys dominated the Jets 34-3 for the most lopsided win on Thanksgiving Day.
2008: In what was the final Thanksgiving Day game at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys had an easy time with the Seahawks, dominating Seattle 34-9 with the Jonas Brothers rocking the crowd at halftime.
2009: The first Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium featured Daughtry at halftime and a fourth-straight Turkey Day win. The Cowboys had no problems with the Raiders, beating them 24-7.
2010: Keith Urban brought the house down at halftime and the Cowboys nearly brought down the defending champs as well. A late fumble cost the Cowboys a chance to put the game away and the Saints snuck out with a 30-27 win.
2011: A last-second field goal by rookie kicker Dan Bailey gave the Cowboys a win over the Dolphins, 20-19. Enrique Iglesias provided the halftime entertainment for the Red Kettle Kickoff campaign.
2012: Kenny Chesney is no stranger to AT&T Stadium and he felt right at home doing the halftime show. Unfortunately, Redskins rookie and native Texan Robert Griffin III felt right at home as well, helping the Redskins to a 38-31 win over the Cowboys.
2013: Just four years after beating the Raiders on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys did it again. This time, it was a tougher matchup but Dallas rallied to win 31-24 for a crowd that also got treated by Selena Gomez at halftime.
2014: Pitbull put on much more of a show than the Cowboys, who were having a stellar season before the Eagles came to town and gave Dallas a 33-10 win. The Cowboys still finished 12-4 and won the NFC East but Thanksgiving Day was an exception to what proved to be a great season.
2015: Luke Bryan put on a show at halftime, but so did the Panthers, who used a dominating defense and big plays from Cam Newton and a Carolina team that made it to the Super Bowl.
2016: The Cowboys snapped a two-game losing streak on Thanksgiving with a win over the Redskins. It was Dak Prescott's first win on Turkey Day. Eric Church had a huge performance at halftime, sending Cowboys fans home with many things to be thankful for.
2017: Thomas Rhett did his part, crushing it at the halftime performance. But the Cowboys were no match for the Chargers, who rolled past them 28-6.
2018: Meghan Trainor was a hit at halftime and the Cowboys were just as good on the field, ripping past Washington, 31-22 thanks to big plays from Amari Cooper.
2019: The Cowboys got off to a fast start against the Bills, but couldn't sustain the momentum and Buffalo's stingy defense was not in a "giving" mood. On the other side, a familiar face – Cole Beasley – had a nice return to Dallas as Buffalo spoiled the performance by Ellie Goulding at halftime for a 26-15 win.
2020: The first few hours of the day was festive all the way around as the Cowboys were battling through an emotional short week, but still hanging with Washington. The halftime show featuring Kane Brown was electric as well and the Cowboys had their chances to take the lead in the third quarter. But the bottom dropped out in the fourth as Washington overpowered the Cowboys down the stretch, pulling away with a 41-16 win.
