Lainey Wilson brought high-energy holiday spirit to the NFL on Christmas Day, lighting up the Snoop Dogg–led halftime show during the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions game.
About halfway through Snoop’s 11-minute performance, Wilson made a grand entrance onto the field riding in a Santa-worthy sleigh alongside her fiancé, former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The moment blended country charm, football flair, and Christmas cheer all in one.
What Did Lainey Wilson Perform?
Wilson delivered a lively, crowd-pleasing rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” as her sleigh circled the field. Backed by a choir and dancers, she brought her signature energy to the performance, with Snoop joining in—dancing alongside her and adding a few harmony vocals.
She wore a festive twist on her classic look, complete with a cowboy hat and bell-bottoms. When the song wrapped, Snoop helped her down from the sleigh, capping off the moment with a playful finish.
Why Was Duck Hodges Dressed as Santa?
No sleigh ride would be complete without Santa, and Duck Hodges happily filled the role. He appeared in a red Santa suit—minus the traditional beard—and topped it off with a cowboy hat for good measure.
After the show, Hodges joked on social media about being “recruited back to the NFL,” this time as Santa, sharing photos with Wilson and Snoop from the field.
Who Else Took Part in the Halftime Show?
The performance was billed as “Snoop Dogg and Friends,” and Wilson was one of several special guests. Martha Stewart kicked things off with an introduction, while K-pop group HUNTR/X also performed. The show closed on a dramatic note with opera legend Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli joining the lineup.
The Christmas Day matchup took place at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, turning the football game into a full-blown holiday celebration that blended hip-hop, country, pop, and classical music.
Country music and football have long shared a close connection, and Lainey Wilson’s festive halftime moment was another reminder of how naturally the two worlds come together.
