Dolly Parton's best sports moments, from NFL Thanksgiving halftime show to partnership with Tennessee football

Dolly Parton, the "Queen of Country" who won 11 Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards as a star singer, songwriter and actress for decades, died on Tuesday at age 80, her family announced in a video.

An American icon in many ways, Parton was also well-known for her Tennessee sports fandom. It was no secret that her home state carried over into her relationship with the sports world.

She also became synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys, rocking a crop-topped Cowboys cheerleader outfit in 2023 as she performed at halftime of the team's Thanksgiving matchup.

Here were some of Parton's best moments intertwined with the sports world.

Dolly Parton's best sports moments

Cowboys halftime show on Thanksgiving, 2023

One of Parton's most well-known performances — especially among sports fans — was her 2023 halftime show during Cowboys vs. Commanders at AT&T Stadium.

Parton took the stage dressed like a Cowboys cheerleader, singing some of her greatest hits in front of 90,000-plus fans, plus the NFL's massive TV crowd on the holiday. 

She sang personal hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," as well as covers of well-known songs like "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions."

"I thought, 'Well at my age, if I can pull it off, it's going to be good. And if I don't, I can just pass it off as an old woman doing a stupid ass thing,'" Parton later told USA Today of the performance at 77 years old. "I've always said my desire to do something is greater than my fear of it."

Tennessee football partnership, 2023

Parton's affinity for Tennessee Volunteers athletics showed throughout her life.

In 2023, prior to her release of her "Rockstar" album, she partnered with both ESPN and Tennessee — the network agreed to feature her music during "Monday Night Football" games, while she collaborated with UT to make an exclusive Vols-themed edition of her album, per Music Row.

The exclusive release included a live version of Parton’s “Rocky Top.”

“My East Tennessee roots run deep, and I am so proud to be partnering with the Vols on a line of merchandise,” Parton said at the time, per Music Row. “I’ve performed ‘Rocky Top’ so many times live in my concerts through the years, and I know how much that song means to Vols fans. I am thrilled to have the chance to include my version of the song on a special edition of my new Rockstar album as part of this partnership.”

'Rocky Top' performance at Tennessee vs. Georgia, 2023

Days before she took the stage for her NFL Thanksgiving halftime show, Parton was busy elsewhere in the sports world.

Peyton Manning led her onto the field for a performance of "Rocky Top" during Tennessee's matchup against Georgia at home.

Tyler Reddick drives Dolly-themed car, 2019

In 2019, Parton's face could be seen on the side of a NASCAR car.

Tyler Reddick drove a No. 2 pink-and-white car with Parton's face and butterfly logo at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“Dolly is an icon and has had a lot of success in her career, which is something I admire while trying to build my own success in NASCAR,” Reddick said at the time, per Billboard. “Hopefully, we can take Dolly and the No. 2 Camaro to Victory Lane this weekend in her home state of Tennessee. I think that would be really special for everyone who is a fan of hers.”

Honored by Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, 2020

In 2020, Parton was honored by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, which named her the Tennessean of the Year. 

On Tuesday, the organization released a statement on her death at age 80.

"We are saddened by the passing of a Tennessee icon, Dolly Parton," the hall said in the statement, per The Tennessean. "Dolly was named the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame's Tennessean of the Year in 2020 for her countless contributions to the state."

Photo with the Yankees while filming 'Dolly!', 1987

Back in 1987, when Parton was filming a segment for her ABC show "Dolly!" on a trip to Yankee Stadium, she snapped a photo with some of the Yankees' squad.

On Sept. 1, 1987, she could be seen posing with New York's Ron Guidry, Dave Righetti, Rick Cerone and Mike Pagliarulo.

We join the rest of the world in mourning the passing of entertainment icon Dolly Parton ❤️ pic.twitter.com/W9D3nT5Gef

UT band honors Dolly with special tribute performance, 2015

Parton's longtime relationship with Tennessee football was on display in 2015, when the school's band honored her with a special tribute performance at Neyland Stadium.

The band performed some of her hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," and while she couldn't attend, she did surprise the band with a message played on the video board.

"I was honored to have my music played at half time at the UT game on Saturday," Parton said, per DollyParton.com. "I am flattered that they would think I was a good luck charm, but I don't believe that I can make anybody win any more than I believe that Taylor Swift can make anybody lose!  They won because they played the better game that day.  I am very proud of UT...Go Vols!"

Nashville Dollys created as community sandlot team, 2019

Since 2019, a baseball team has been playing games while donning Parton's name.

The Nashville Dollys were created as a community-focused sandlot baseball team playing in Nashville, Tennessee. The team has played to support youth sports and other charitable initiatives. Proceeds from the club have gone to charity, including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the team said it has "almost 30 team members, travelled all over the country playing baseball, [and] played well over 150 games" while honouring Parton's life.

Dolly congratulates Sevier County High School girl's basketball team, 2026

Earlier in 2026, when Parton's alma mater, Sevier County High School, had its girl's basketball team win the state championship — its first since 2002 — the country music star offered her congratulations.

The school shared a video of Parton congratulating the team on their win, something she also did for Sevier County's football team in 2024 when they won a state title.

"You girls have really knocked it out of the park. Well, out of court, I guess I should say," Parton said in the video. "I am so proud of you."