The Time Taylor Swift Sang At The Lions Thanksgiving Game
A lot has changed since 2006. We’ve had four different Presidents since that year. We’ve got new social media, new ways to watch movies and shows, and more. However, one thing that remains the same? Taylor Swift is the talk of the NFL. Remember when she sang the National Anthem before the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game?
It was a different time. However, Taylor was still a big star. At that time, she was more of a star in the making. In 2006, Taylor only had only one album out–her debut self-titled album.
Taylor Swift Sang National Anthem On Thanksgiving Day
It’s crazy to look back and see a young Taylor Swift with curly hair performing her rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. She was only 16 years old at the time, but it was clear that a successful career was ahead of her. Could you imagine being out there performing in front of millions on a national holiday at only 16? I certainly can’t.
Here in Detroit, we aren’t the only ones who remember that day. Taylor remembered it fondly during her Ford Field stop on her massive Eras Tour. She recalled on Instagram saying, “Ahhhhh Detroit that was so much fun!! First time I performed at Ford Field was singing the anthem there in 2006 and I remember thinking it felt impossible for a place to be that big. I was sooo insanely nervous…”
Ford Field didn’t seem to forget about it, either. Leading up to the show, they Tweeted out a photo of Taylor getting ready to perform and she’s standing next to somebody very familiar. Take a look below.
Taylor Swift 🤝 Dan Campbell
— Ford Field (@fordfield) June 9, 2023
Big Ford Field fans pic.twitter.com/KIoxkp5rkg
That’s right! It’s Dan Campbell! At the time, he was a Tight End for the Detroit Lions. Now, fast forward 17 years and they were both back at Ford Field. Her for a performance, and he’s there all the time as our Head Coach. I love that they were able to find this picture. Perfect timing. I suppose you could say picture perfect.
Lions Thanksgiving Day Performances
Taylor Swift isn’t the only big name to perform at a Lions game on Thanksgiving. Several big stars in music have performed at halftime of the game since then. I remember Detroit’s own Kid Rock playing half time one year. Recently, another Detroit native performed as well in Big Sean. This year, we will see Jack Harlow perform at halftime. He’s not from Detroit, but still worth watching. This Thanksgiving, we won’t see Taylor Swift performing in front of the Lions crowd…but we’ll always have 2006.
It has to be a very surreal moment for Swift. At the time, this was one of the biggest moments in her career. Then, to come back 17 years later with one of the biggest tours we’ve ever seen. She made it happen. In 2006, she was merely a part of the event. In 2023, she is the event. I’d be highly surprised if anyone in the crowd that night in 2006 was there for Taylor Swift. Now, she’s selling out the entire stadium…and they are all there for her.
You can watch Taylor Swift perform the National Anthem ahead of the Detroit Lions game on Thanksgiving Day in 2006 here.
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