CeCe Winans to Perform National Anthem at Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Classic

CeCe Winans
photo by Hannah Corwin

The Detroit Lions announced today that their 86th annual Thanksgiving Day Classic on November 27 against the Green Bay Packers will feature electrifying singer and guitarist Jack White as part of the Thanksgiving Halftime Show powered by Verizon. Renowned gospel musician CeCe Winans will perform the national anthem. Additionally, the club will be supporting a donation-based initiative with Feeding America® that will be featured throughout the game. The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Classic presented by Ford will be nationally televised on FOX at 1 p.m. EST.

Multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and Detroit native Jack White rose to international fame in the early 2000s, with his innovative guitar work and raw vocal style earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated worldwide fan base. The solo artist and creative heartbeat of the legendary groups The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, White’s illustrious career was recently honored with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 8.

The winner of 17 GRAMMY® Awards and 33 Dove Awards, music icon CeCe Winans will return to her hometown of Detroit to perform the national anthem. An inductee of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Winans is also the recipient of multiple Soul Train Awards, Essence Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.

“I grew up in Detroit in a house with Mom, Dad, 7 brothers, and 2 sisters.  Every Thanksgiving was all about Gratefulness to God, family, food, and Football!! The Lions' games were on all the time in our home.   The idea that my family and I are part of such a rich musical heritage from our hometown is so amazing, and we thank God every day.  I am so honored to come home and be a part of a very special Thanksgiving tradition.  It’s going to be awesome.”

OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY

For the first time, the Detroit Lions will partner with Feeding America and invite people watching at home to participate directly in the holiday celebration by making a monetary donation that will help ensure neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive. Viewers will be encouraged to text the keyword ‘TACKLE’ to 97955 to receive a link to the donation form. Nearly 50 million people in the U.S., including almost 14 million children, experience food insecurity. The Detroit Lions and Feeding America aim to raise enough funds to provide 10 million meals, ensuring every family can share the warmth, comfort, and joy of a full table this holiday season. 

A PARTNERSHIP FOCUSED ON CONNECTION

Verizon is tackling food insecurity by giving fans the chance to pack hunger-relief kits outside of Ford Field on gameday. Volunteers race against the clock to pack donation bags faster than Verizon’s ultra-fast network. The high-energy activation will be in the Detroit Lions pregame tailgate space, Pride Plaza on Brush Street, and open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..