As pivotal as the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans clash will be on Wednesday, it’s not the only headline-grabbing event set to unfold at NRG Stadium. Sharing the stage—quite literally—with NFL stars is none other than Beyoncé, the global R&B sensation and Houston native, who is slated to perform at halftime of the game.
Her highly anticipated performance, part of the NFL’s Christmas Day doubleheader, is poised to attract millions of viewers to Netflix’s live stream. Many of them may not be football fans at all but will tune in exclusively to witness Beyoncé’s electrifying set.
Beyoncé Fever Reaches the NFL
Even the players set to take the field are eagerly anticipating the halftime show. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, one of the league’s biggest stars, expressed his excitement about seeing Beyoncé perform during a press conference on Monday.
When asked if he was disappointed about potentially missing her set, Jackson didn’t hold back.
“Nah, ’cause I’m going to go out there and watch,” Jackson said with a laugh. “It’s my first time watching Beyoncé perform, and it’s at our game? That’s dope. I’m going to go out there and watch. Sorry, [head coach John] Harbaugh. Sorry, fellas.”
Jackson’s candid enthusiasm quickly became a talking point. When asked if his decision depended on whether the Ravens had a comfortable lead at halftime, the two-time MVP playfully dismissed the idea.
“I’m not even thinking about the lead,” he said. “I’m just thinking about seeing Beyoncé for the first time. Not sounding like that—no disrespect—because I know how people can take things.”
Players Watching Halftime Shows: A Growing Trend?
If Jackson follows through with his plan to watch Beyoncé, he won’t be the first NFL player to step outside the locker room for a halftime performance. Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson famously skipped halftime preparations during Super Bowl LVI to watch the star-studded show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem.
While coaches and teammates might prefer players stay focused on the game, the allure of a once-in-a-lifetime concert at halftime can be hard to resist.
A Star-Studded Christmas Doubleheader
The Ravens-Texans game, scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET, marks the second half of the NFL’s Christmas Day doubleheader, exclusively streamed on Netflix. Earlier in the day, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET.
Both games feature high-stakes matchups with playoff implications, but Beyoncé’s halftime show may overshadow the gridiron action, especially for casual viewers.
A Homecoming for Beyoncé
For Beyoncé, the performance is a homecoming of sorts. Born and raised in Houston, the Grammy-winning artist has long been a cultural icon and a source of pride for the city. Her presence at NRG Stadium is expected to bring even more excitement to what is already shaping up to be a memorable day for Houston.
Football Meets Pop Culture
This unique blend of football and pop culture exemplifies the NFL’s growing focus on broadening its appeal. By partnering with Netflix to stream both the games and high-profile halftime performances, the league aims to capture a wider audience.
For Jackson and others fortunate enough to be on the field—or in the stands—when Beyoncé takes the stage, it’s bound to be an unforgettable moment. As for the fans tuning in, they’ll get the best of both worlds: high-stakes football and an unforgettable musical performance from one of the world’s biggest stars.
Whether Jackson manages to catch Beyoncé’s set or sticks to halftime strategy with his team remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Ravens-Texans game will be about much more than football on Christmas Day.
