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Post Malone gave a special shoutout during the Thanksgiving NFL halftime show.
The rapper-turned-country-star, 30, performed at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs halftime show in the Lone Star State, where he was raised, on Thursday, Nov. 27. At the end of his performance, he paid tribute to late Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland.
Malone performed a melody of three songs at the football game, including “Wrong Ones,” “Wow” and “I Had Some Help.”
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The singer addressed the audience after his third song, saying, “I love you so much, Dallas, Texas. Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for the best team in the world: the Dallas Cowboys.”
As the crowd cheered, he continued, “I hope everybody has a great night. I hope everybody has a happy Thanksgiving, and I love you more than I could ever say.”
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“And we love you, 94. We love you,” Malone concluded, in reference to Kneeland.
Kneeland, whose jersey number was 94 during his time with the Cowboys, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 24 on Nov. 6.
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“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning” the Cowboys said in a statement shared with PEOPLE at the time. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Malone also wore a pin with the number 94 on it during his performance in another nod to the former defense end.
This isn’t the musician’s first NFL rodeo. Last year, he made a surprise appearance during Beyoncé’s Christmas Day halftime show in Houston, joining her in the performance of their hit song “LEVII’S JEANS.”
Additionally, the star sang “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February 2024.
Malone and the Cowboys go way back.
Though he was born in New York, the “Circles” singer moved to Grapevine, Texas (a suburb of Dallas) after his father took a job running concessions at AT&T Stadium, where the Cowboys play.
“I’m from Texas. I grew up a Cowboys fan and have been watching this halftime show for years,” Malone said in a story posted on the Cowboy’s website. “It’s a real honor to be part of the Red Kettle Kickoff with The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys and help bring hope to so many people.”
Malone’s halftime show comes six months after he performed his sold-out hometown show at AT&T Stadium during his Big Ass Stadium Tour in support of his F-1 Trillion album.
