NFL, celebrities collaborate with United Way for Thanksgiving message

Performer and songwriter Mariah Carey will hit the field for the NFL, Detroit Lions and United Way of America during the Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show as part of the Lions vs. the Atlanta Falcons game at Ford Field, Nov. 24 at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Carey will perform two of her No. 1 hits for the halftime show. The Grammy award-winning songstress will be introduced by Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders.

Multi-platinum and Grammy award-winning recording artist Toni Braxton will kick off the game by singing the national anthem.

2005 Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman will narrate a 90-second introduction to the halftime shows which will appear in the stadium and on television. Produced by the internal creative group at NFL Films, this piece features a montage of everyday people and NFL players giving back to their communities and encouraging fans to volunteer and donate their time and money.

Carey's performance will be the highlight of the halftime show. Through this show, the NFL and United Way hope to inspire millions of NFL fans to get involved in their own communities. Whether it's coaching a youth football team, spending time with seniors or serving meals at a soup kitchen, anyone can get involved and make a difference in their own way.

Now in its 32nd year, the partnership between the NFL and United Way is the longest running charitable collaboration of its kind. The PSA series, broadcast each week of the season to more than 120 million viewers has kept United Way in the forefront of people's minds for three decades. No other vehicle has been more effective in providing visibility for United Way. Since the NFL and United Way combined forces, resources to United Way have grown from $800 million annually to nearly $4 billion to strengthen local communities across America.
source : www.nfl.com