Country music icon Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80. The legendary singer-songwriter was best known for her music and acting career in film and television, but was also very involved in the sports world, from the NFL to the Olympics.
Here are some Dolly Parton’s best sports moments:
Thanksgiving Halftime Show
Parton was the halftime show performer for the Thanksgiving game between the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders in Dallas in 2023.
The 11-time Grammy winner performed a memorable halftime show where she some of her most popular hits like “Jolene” and “9-5,” and covers of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” by Queen. To tie in the Cowboys, Parton donned the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform.
The Dollywood Race Car
Parton also made an impact on the motorsports world, as she sponsored NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick’s car for the 2019 Alsco 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series in Bristol, Tennessee.
Reddick went along in his Parton-themed car and took pictures in a curly blonde wig to highlight the singer. The No. 2 Chevrolet was a pink and white car that featured Parton’s face on the hood and “Dollywood” on the side, primarily to promote her record company.
(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
2024 Paris Olympics
Parton found her way to the international sports stage, and collaborated with NBCUniversal for a promo music video ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The music video featured high-profile athletes like gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles and swimmer Katie Ledecky and a combined rendition of her covers, “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions.”
Dollywood Comes To New York
Parton paid a visit to Yankee Stadium in New York City in 1987, where she met up with players in the Yankee’s iconic pinstripe uniform. The team even presented Parton with an official team jacket and hat.
Her famous visit and day spent with the team was used later in her television show, “Dolly.” Most famously, Parton posed for a picture with former Yankees stars including Ron Guirdry, Mike Pagliarulo, Dave Righetti and Rick Cerone.
‘Rocky Top’ At Neyland Stadium
It’s only appropriate that Parton — a Nashville native — sang at one of Tennessee’s most iconic stadiums: Neyland Stadium. Parton performed Tennessee’s famous “Rocky Top” ahead of the Tennessee vs. Georgia rivalry in 2023.
What made her performance even more Tennessee-like was being escorted out by a Tennessee football legend, Peyton Manning.
