Creed's Thanksgiving halftime show: A look back at their memorable 2001 performance during the Cowboys game

Bryan Murphy

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Creed Thanksgiving halftime show: Revisiting iconic 2001 performance during Cowboys game image

TL;DR

  • Creed's 2001 Thanksgiving halftime show at the Cowboys-Broncos game is highly memorable.
  • The performance featured airborne performers and Scott Stapp wearing a Cowboys jersey.
  • Creed, formed in Florida, has never performed at a Super Bowl halftime show.
  • The band played "Higher," "My Sacrifice," and "Don't Stop Dancing" during their seven-minute set.

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For NFL enthusiasts, one query has become a Thanksgiving staple: Can you take me higher?

Numerous holiday customs are observed by the league. The Cowboys and Lions consistently appear on the Thanksgiving schedule, a turducken is invariably featured on the broadcast, and a halftime performance will be presented to engage the audience during the intermission. 

Yet, no Thanksgiving performance stands out more than the one from 2001 during the Cowboys-Broncos game. 

Creed's performance during halftime of the Thanksgiving game stands out as one of the most memorable events ever seen on an NFL field. The band delivered an unforgettable show, with airborne performers soaring around Texas Stadium while Scott Stapp and the rest of the group energetically played their popular songs. 

There have been plenty of other show-stopping performances on a football field, whether that be Super Bowl halftime shows such as Prince at Super Bowl 41, or exceptional national anthems like Aretha Franklin at Thanksgiving in 2016. But none have cemented themselves in history quite like Creed's sensational showing in Dallas in 2001. 

Here's additional information concerning the Creed and the band's notorious Thanksgiving halftime performance at the Cowboys game. 

MORE: Why do the Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving?

Creed's Thanksgiving halftime show performance video

Creed's Thanksgiving performance

The halftime show by Creed during the 2001 Thanksgiving game featuring the Cowboys and Broncos is set to be remembered as one of the most unforgettable performances during a football break. 

Attendees, numbering close to 65,000, experienced a remarkable show at the special holiday game held at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys' former venue. Although the grunge group from Florida was the main act, the aerialists captivated the audience as they spun through the air on long, white drapes, flying across the stadium. 

Scott Stapp, the lead singer, wore a No. 11 Cowboys jersey bearing his name, a significant element of the memorable performance. The seven-minute performance included a blend of three of the band's most popular songs, "Higher," "My Sacrifice,", and "Don't Stop Dancing.".

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Has Creed ever performed at a Super Bowl?

No, Creed has never performed at a Super Bowl. 

Confusion has arisen regarding the specific game where the rock band delivered their memorable halftime performance. This event occurred during the 2001 Thanksgiving Day game, an unusual instance of an NFL matchup featuring halftime entertainment. 

MORE: Full list of Super Bowl halftime shows, from best to worst

Who is Creed's lead singer?

The lead singer of Creed is Scott Stapp. 

Stapp is one of the founding members of the band, creating the group in Florida in 1994. He, along with guitarist Mark Tremonti and drummer Scott Phillips, are the only ones who have been with Creed throughout the band's entire period of activity. 

MORE: Who invented the turducken?

Where is Creed from?

Creed was formed in Tallahassee, Fla. In 1994. 

Stapp and Tremonti were classmates in high school and both attended Florida State University. It was there that the early edition of Creed was created, originally a group of five that was cut down to a quartet by 1995. 

The group stayed active until their split in 2004. This hiatus lasted five years, with the members coming back together in 2009. 

Creed entered another break in 2013. The band stayed dormant for ten years before reuniting in 2023. 

MORE: How Creed songs became Texas Rangers' unofficial soundtrack for 2023 World Series

Creed halftime show memes

@spin Creed. Halftime. Thanksgiving. That's all you need to know. On this date in 2001, @Creed delivered a memorable audio and visual performance during the intermission of the Cowboys' traditional Thanksgiving NFL matchup, rescuing our spirits. Did you catch this performance as it happened? (📹 courtesy of yt/JOSEERNESTOARUTIM) #creed #higher #throwback #thanksgiving #halftimeshow ♬ original sound - SPIN
@fernandosilveriosolis Gobbless you Creed #thanksgiving #wow #halftimeshow #thankful #cringe #creed #letsgothere #wow #feenandocult #ok ♬ original sound - Fernando

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Creed 'Higher' lyrics

When dreaming I'm guided to another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't wanna leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake

So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask, "Can we stay?"

Can you take me higher
To a place where blind men see?
Can you take me higher
To a place with golden streets?

Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate

So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask, "Can we stay?"

Can you take me higher
To a place where blind men see?
Can you take me higher
To a place with golden streets

So let's go there (Let's go there)
Let's go there (Let's go there)
Come on, let's go there (Go, go there)
Let's ask, "Can we stay?"

Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Set up high, I'm strong enough to take these dreams and make them mine
Set up high, I'm strong enough to take these dreams and make them mine

Can you take me higher
To a place where blind men see?
Can you take me higher
To a place with golden streets?
Can you take me higher
To a place where blind men see?
Can you take me higher
To a place with golden streets? 

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