Grambling State Marching Band Welcomes Rival to NFL Halftime Performance Thanksgiving Day

band jaqualanSouthern University to join Grambling State for its 14th NFL Halftime Performance

GRAMBLING, LA – Oct. 22, 2018 – Today, the Grambling State University World-Famed Tiger Marching Band announced its 14th NFL halftime performance has been scheduled for one of the League’s highest-rated games, Thanksgiving Day 2018.

During the November 22 face-off between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons, Grambling State will welcome its long-time Bayou Classic Rival, Southern University, to take the field at halftime.

“It’s always great to get a call from the NFL. Every one of these performances is an honor,” says Dr. Edwin Thomas, Interim Band Director of the World-Famed Tiger Marching Band. “It was an NFL performance that helped recruit me to Grambling years ago. It’s a privilege to be able to share that opportunity with our students and one of our sister schools.”

Affectionately known as the “World Famed,” the students who make up the more than 220-member Band, will join a long legacy of Grambling students who’ve performed at international marquis events including:

  • The first Super Bowl half-time performance (1967);
  • More than 50 NFL performances and 13 Super Bowls;
  • 15 NBA performances including numerous all-star games;
  • Commercials with major brands including Coca-Cola, ESPN, Cartoon Network; and
  • Numerous presidential inaugurations domestically and abroad.

The performance, which will air on NBC nationwide, takes place just one day prior to the 45th Bayou Classic Greek Show and Battle of the Bands competition which will feature both the Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band and the Southern University Human Jukebox at 7 pm (CST) on Friday, November 23.

For interviews or more Grambling State University information, please contact mediarelations@gram.edu or (318) 274-2866.