Lil Jon closed out the NFL’s slate of Thanksgiving halftime entertainment by performing at Thursday night’s Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals game.

Viewers watching the game at home were only able to catch a handful of seconds of the 54-year-old rapper’s performance.

Rather than broadcast Lil John’s halftime show during the Ravens vs. Bengals game, NBC opted to show a feature about John Madden’s coaching legacy. The feature was narrated by Andy Reid and also included interviews with Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, and former Raiders players Art Shell, Gus Otto and Phil Villapiano, among others.

After the feature wrapped, NBC cut to commercial. Upon returning, they showed what was roughly a 15-second clip of Lil Jon’s performance before airing more ads and preparing to return to play.

The decision not to air Lil Jon’s halftime show irked NFL fans and entertainment afficionados who were expecting to see the rapper’s full performance, especially after seeing Fox and CBS air the entirety of Jack White and Post Malone’s performances, respectively. Those fans took to social media to express their displeasure with NBC’s decision:

Though viewers were upset, NBC’s strategy was nothing new. It aligns with the network’s other Thanksgiving halftime presentations since it became a staple in the NFL’s holiday rotation in 2013. Each year, NBC has presented an in-depth, human-interest feature during the halftime show, which is then followed by a brief clip of the in-stadium performance.

In 2024, there was similar uproar about the network’s decision not to show violinist-slash-dancer Lindsey Stirling’s performance at the Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins game. The network also showed just a clip of Steve Aoki’s performance during the 2023 San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks game.

The Ravens halftime show marked the end of a busy day for Lil Jon. He also performed his hit ‘Turn Down for What’ on the Toys ‘R Us float at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York earlier on the holiday.

This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Post Malone ended his halftime performance during the Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs Thanksgiving game by paying tribute to the late Marshawn Kneeland.

‘We love you, 94,’ the artist said near the end of his halftime set, referencing the jersey Kneeland wore during his two seasons with the Cowboys. ‘We love you.’

Post Malone also wore a pin displaying the No. 94 on his outfit for his performance.

Kneeland, who was a 24-year-old defensive end for the Cowboys, died by suicide sometime overnight Nov. 5-6, according to the police.

The 24-year-old’s body was found in a portable bathroom on the morning of Nov. 6.

The Cowboys are paying homage to Kneeland for the rest of the season by wearing a No. 94 decal on their helmets for the remainder of the season. Dallas also wore shirts featuring Kneeland’s face before their Week 11 and 12 games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles, and held moments of silence for him before each contest.

Quarterback Blake Horvath and Alex Tecza led the Navy Midshipmen past the Memphis Tigers, 28-17, on Thanksgiving Day, clinching at least a tie for the American Conference’s regular-season title.

Navy scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to outduel the Tigers after each team scored 14 points in the second quarter.

Navy has now won back-to-back games since losing games to North Texas and Notre Dame in previous weeks.

Memphis still leads the all-time series against Navy, winning six of the 11 games between the two teams.

Memphis lost its last three games of the season, finishing the season at 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Navy improves to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play with a game against Army still to play on Dec. 13.

Navy-Memphis highlights

Final: Navy 28, Memphis 17

Blake Horvath completed five of nine passes for 100 passing yards and a touchdown. He also contributed with 54 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

Navy football scores vs. Memphis: Blake Horvath helps extend lead

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to extend the Midshipmen’s lead over Memphis. Nathan Kirkwood’s extra point attempt was good. Navy leads Memphis 28-17 with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter.

Navy football scores vs. Memphis: Alex Tecza scores second touchdown

Alex Tecza gives Navy the lead with a 12-yard touchdown run. Tecza rushed the ball four times for 34 yards on the drive. Navy leads 21-17 with 1:01 left in the third quarter.

Halftime: Memphis 17, Navy 14

Memphis kicker Gianni Spetic’s 31-yard field goal attempt was no good during the final minute of the half.

Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 14 of his 20 passes in the first half for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 33 yards on four carries. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath completed four of his seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Horvath also tied for a team-high 19 rushing yards on four carries.

Memphis football score vs. Navy: Cortez Braham Jr. makes impressive TD catch

Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis completes a 38-yard pass to receiver Cortez Braham Jr., who made an impressive catch after the ball was initially touched first by the cornerback. Gianni Spetic’s extra point attempt was good. The touchdown puts a bow on an 8-play, 77-yard drive that took 3:24.

The Tigers lead the Midshipmen 17-14 with 1:43 left in the second quarter. It is the fourth lead change of the quarter.

Navy football score vs. Memphis: Alex Tecza scores for Midshipmen

Running back Alex Tecza scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to cap off a 6-play, 72-yard drive that took 2:10 off the clock. Kicker Nathan Kirkwood’s extra point attempt was good. Navy leads Memphis 14-10 with 5:13 left in the second quarter.

Memphis football score vs. Navy: Tigers move back in front in second quarter

Quarterback Brendon Lewis completed a pass to tight end Matt Adcock for a 1-yard touchdown. Gianni Spetic’s extra point attempt was good. It was a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:37 off the clock. Memphis leads Navy, 10-7, with 7:28 left before halftime.

Navy football score vs. Memphis: Midshipmen take first lead of game

Quarterback Blake Horvath completed a pass to receiver Kendall Evans for a 3-yard touchdown. The score ends a 7-play, 57-yard drive that took 3:20 off the clock. The extra point was good.

Navy leads Memphis 7-3 with 12:11 left in the second quarter.

End of 1Q: Memphis 3, Navy 0

The Tigers held on to the early lead throughout the first quarter, but the Midshipmen were driving down the field looking for a chance to score.

Memphis football score vs. Navy: Tigers take early lead

The Tigers finished an 11-play, 46-yard drive with a 31-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic. Memphis takes the early 3-0 lead with 5:35 left in the opening quarter.

Navy and Memphis football punt on opening drives

Both the Midshipmen and the Tigers were forced to punt the ball on their first offensive possessions. Defense is winning the early battle on both sides.

What time does Navy vs. Memphis start?  

Date: Thursday, Nov. 27
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET   
Where: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)

What TV channel is Navy vs. Memphis on today?

TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

Navy will take on Memphis on ESPN, with Matt Barrie, Tom Luginbill and Harry Lyles Jr. on the call. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial.

Memphis’ Travis Burke out with an injury vs. Navy

Memphis right tackle Travis Burke will miss tonight’s game against Navy, according to Jonah Dylan of the Commercial Appeal. He started all 11 games for the Tigers this season but suffered an injury in the loss to Eastern Carolina.

Navy football coach Brian Newberry talks pregame vs. Memphis

Navy vs Memphis predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 25

Spread: Memphis (-5.5)
Over/under: 58.5
Moneyline: Memphis (-210) | Navy (+170)

Prediction (Jonah Dylan, Commercial Appeal): Navy 31, Memphis 28

Who is starting for Navy and Memphis at the QB position?

Quarterback Blake Horvath leads the way for Navy, with the veteran quarterback throwing for 1,290 yards and eight touchdowns while running for a team-high 986 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Memphis counterpart Brendon Lewis has thrown for nearly 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking eighth among American Conference quarterbacks. — John Leuzzi

Navy schedule and results 2025

Here is Navy’s schedule and results.

Week 1 (Aug 30): vs VMI — W 52-7
Week 2 (Sep 6): vs UAB — W 38-24
Week 3 (Sep 13): @ Tulsa — W 42-23
Week 4: BYE
Week 5 (Sep 27): vs Rice — W 21-13
Week 6 (Oct 4): vs Air Force — W 34-31
Week 7 (Oct 11): @ Temple — W 32-31
Week 8: BYE
Week 9 (Oct 25): vs Florida Atlantic — W 42-32
Week 10 (Nov 1): @ North Texas — L 17-31
Week 11 (Nov 8): @ Notre Dame — L 10-49
Week 12 (Nov 15): vs South Florida — W 41-38
Upcoming Games
Week 14 (Nov 27): @ Memphis — 7:30 PM ET
Week 16 (Dec 13): vs Army — 3:00 p.m.ET

Memphis schedule 2025

Here is Memphis’ schedule and results:

Week 1 (Aug 30): vs Chattanooga — W 45-10
Week 2 (Sep 6): @ Georgia State — W 38-16
Week 3 (Sep 13): @ Troy — W 28-7
Week 4 (Sep 20): vs Arkansas — W 32-31
Week 5 (Sep 27): @ Florida Atlantic — W 55-26
Week 6 (Oct 4): vs Tulsa — W 45-7
Week 7: BYE
Week 8 (Oct 18): @ UAB — L 24-31
Week 9 (Oct 25): vs South Florida — W 34-31
Week 10 (Oct 31): @ Rice — W 38-14
Week 11 (Nov 7): vs Tulane — L 32-38
Week 12 (Nov 15): @ East Carolina — L 27-31
Upcoming Games
Week 14 (Nov 27): vs Navy — 7:30 p.m. ET

Fuzzy Zoeller, a 10-time PGA Tour winner and one of the most colorful golfers in tour history, has died, the PGA Tour announced Thursday, Nov. 27.

Zoeller was 74. No cause of death was disclosed.

Though he blended his golf skill with humor, his racist joke about Tiger Woods created a firestorm.

The controversy took place as Woods was on his way to win the 1997 Masters when Zoeller referred to Woods as ‘that little boy’ and urged Woods not to request fried chicken or collard greens for the Champions Dinner before next year’s Masters at Augusta. Zoeller apologized but the comments haunted him for years.

‘The PGA Tour is saddened by the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller,’ Jay Monahan, commissioner of the PGA Tour, said in a statement posted on X. ‘Fuzzy was a true original whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the game of golf. Fuzzy combined competitive excellence with a sense of humor that endeared him to fans and fellow players alike. We celebrate his remarkable legacy and extend our deepest condolences to his family.’

Zoeller attracted galleries as much for his humor as his golf exploits, which were significant in their own right. He won The Masters in 1979 and the U.S. Open in 1984. He also won twice on the PGA Tour Champions.

Racist ‘Fried chicken’ joke haunted Zoeller

Zoeller already had finished his final round at The Masters in 1997 when Woods, then 21, was storming his way to victory and his first green jacket.

“That little boy is driving well and he’s putting well,’’ Zoeller told CNN when asked for his thoughts about Woods, according to the Associated Press. “He’s doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not serve fried chicken next year. Got it?’

As he walked away, according to the Associated Press, Zoeller turned back and said, “Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”

Zoeller apologized a day later but initially denied he called Woods “a little boy.’’

‘I am a fun-loving person,’’ he said.  “I make joke, cut jokes all the time. My apologies if somebody interpreted that into a racial remark.’’

But Zoeller faced continued backlash and issued more apologies.

“I’ve cried many times,’’ Zoeller wrote for Golf Digest in 2008. “I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that just aren’t a reflection of who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that. Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away.”

“I think for golf in general it would be better if there was unification,’’ McIlroy, the five-time major winner, told CNBC’s CEO Council Forum. “But I just think with what’s happened over the last few years, it’s just going to be very difficult to be able to do that.’’

McIlroy said LIV Golf, founded in 2021, has spent $5 billion to $6 billion and is facing billions more in expenses. LIV has contracts with some of golf’s biggest names, including Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, with LIV entering its fifth season in 2026.

‘A lot of these guys’ contracts are up,’’ McIlroy said. “They’re going to ask for the same number or an even bigger number. LIV have spent five or six billion U.S. dollars, and they’re going to have to spend another five or six just to maintain where they are.’’

Top players make significantly more on the LIV Golf tour than on the PGA Tour. And with The PGA Tour and LIV Golf having shown no progress toward a merger, MclIroy cited other sports that he said have fractured for a long time.

‘You look at boxing for example, or you look at what’s happened in motor racing in the United States with Indy and NASCAR and everything else,’’ he said, adding that unification would in general be better golf.

Referring to LIV McILroy also said, “I’m way more comfortable being on the PGA Tour side than on their side, but who knows what’ll happen?’’

It’s a bad week to be a turkey leg or, apparently, one of Daniel Jones’ legs.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback has revived his career this season, leading his team to an AFC South-leading 8-3 record. Now Shane Steichen’s team is set to enter the home stretch with just six more games on tap after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Jones’ Colts have a key division matchup on tap against the Houston Texans in Week 13, but a lower leg injury could present some issues for No. 17.

Here’s the latest on Jones.

Daniel Jones injury update

Jones suffered a fracture in his fibula, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

The quarterback was a full participant at Indianapolis’ Thanksgiving practice, which represented an upgrade from his limited session on Nov. 26.

Rapoport added that he was told that Jones, ‘looked good,’ and he will continue to try and play through it. Jones was previously listed with a fibula injury ahead of Week 12, but ultimately played against the Kansas City Chiefs in a losing effort.

The Colts are trying to stave off the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are just one game back with both divisional matchups still to come.

Jones’ team has enjoyed first place all season. He’ll hope that the fibula injury doesn’t ultimately knock the Colts out of it.

Colts QB depth chart

Daniel Jones
Riley Leonard

The Colts are rolling with just two healthy quarterbacks on their active roster. Jones has owned the QB1 since winning the competition over Anthony Richardson during the offseason.

Richardson has been on injured reserve with an orbital fracture, leaving Leonard as the other remaining signal caller on the roster.

Leonard was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product made a brief cameo appearance on Oct. 26 against the Tennessee Titans, but hasn’t seen any other game action in his rookie season.

The secret to getting a contract extension and raise in college football?

Have your name linked to the Penn State opening.

First it was Indiana’s Pennsylvania-raised Curt Cignetti getting a new deal. Then it was Nebraska’s Penn State alum Matt Rhule striking a new pact to stay in Lincoln.

On Thanksgiving, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz was the latest coach linked to the Nittany Lions job to get a new contract to stay put. On Thursday, the Tigers coach posted on X, ‘My family and I are thankful to be ⁦Mizzou. The support from our President, the Board of Curators, AD, boosters and fans is special! Why Stop Now!!!’

Drinkwitz’s new contract runs through 2031 on a $10.75 million average annual deal, per Calum McAndrew of the Columbia Daily Tribune, part of USA TODAY Co.

It’s Drinkwitz’s fourth contract extension since taking over the program and the second time he has put pen to paper on a new deal this year.

The 2023 SEC Coach of the Year, Drinkwitz is in his sixth season at Missouri after one year at Appalachian State. At Mizzou, Drinkwitz has a 45-28 record and will lead the Tigers to a fifth straight bowl game this season.

Missouri is 7-4 this season and reached as high as No. 14 in the polls this year before injury to starting QB Beau Pribula and the rigors of SEC play took its toll.

‘My family and I believe deeply in the vision and leadership from our administration and are incredibly happy to continue calling Columbia our home,’ Drinkwitz said in a release. ‘I’m grateful for the unwavering support of President Mun Choi, the Board of Curators, led by Chair Todd Graves and incoming Vice Chair Bob Blitz, along with our athletics director Laird Veatch. We’re also incredibly thankful for the support of our generous donors and NIL partners. I’m committed to continuing our work to build Mizzou into a championship program.’

Missouri finishes the regular season 3:30 p.m., Saturday at Arkansas.

Meanwhile, Penn State players are openly campaigning for interim coach Terry Smith to get the job full-time, and Penn State’s fired coach James Franklin has already landed on his feet at Virginia Tech.

There will be two Russian athletes at the Milano Cortina Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee said Thursday that three independent neutral athletes, all figure skaters, are eligible to compete at the Winter Olympics in February. Adeliia Petrosiant and Petr Gumennik are Russian and the third, Viktoriya Safonova, is from Belarus.

The three will be identified at the Games as ‘AIN,’ which is the French translation for Independent Neutral Athlete, and will not be allowed to wear their country’s colors or have their flag.

The IOC’s announcement comes two months after IOC President Kirsty Coventry said some Russian and Belarussian athletes would be allowed to participate in Milano Cortina, just as they were at the Summer Games in Paris last year. Russia and Belarus have been banned by the IOC since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but the individual sports are allowed to decide for themselves whether athletes from the two countries can compete as neutral individuals.

Many of the winter sport federations have maintained their bans of Russian and Belarussian athletes. Figure skating is one that has allowed neutral athletes to compete, saying Russia and Belarus could send one athlete in each discipline to Milano Cortina if they qualified.

Petrosiant and Gumennik earned their spots by winning the final Olympic qualifier, held in September in Beijing. Safonova was fourth at the same event. The three then had to be approved by the Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel, which verified there was no record of them supporting the invasion of Ukraine or the Russian Army and that they were in compliance with all anti-doping requirements.

Petrosiant’s presence in Milano Cortina is sure to raise some eyebrows because she is coached by Eteri Tutberidze. Tutberidze also coached Kamila Valieva, who was at the center of a doping scandal at the Beijing Olympics.

The NFL’s Thanksgiving slate in 2025 will conclude with an AFC North battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

NBC will broadcast the game and will have most of its No. 1 broadcast crew on the call for the game.

However, one notable member of the crew will be absent. Game analyst Cris Collinsworth will not be on the call for the game. Instead, he will be replaced by Jason Garrett, who will work alongside the network’s primary play-by-play guy Mike Tirico on the broadcast.

Why isn’t Collinsworth in the booth for Thursday’s game? Here’s what to know about the 66-year-old’s Thanksgiving schedule.

Where is Cris Collinsworth?

Collinsworth won’t be working on Thanksgiving, but his absence was planned. The veteran color analyst is simply taking the holiday off, just as he did in 2024 and has in other seasons.

Collinsworth was last on the NBC broadcast for the Week 12 ‘Sunday Night Football’ battle between the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That marked the 500th game of Collinsworth’s broadcasting career.

Collinsworth is expected to be in the booth for NBC’s Week 13 ‘SNF’ game between the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos.

Who is replacing Cris Collinsworth?

Jason Garrett will be replacing Collinsworth in the booth on Thanksgiving. The former Cowboys coach started working for NBC in 2022 as a studio analyst is no stranger to backing Collinsworth up in the book.

Garrett called NBC’s Thanksgiving game in place of Collinsworth last season, working alongside Tirico for the Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins game.

NBC has also placed talents like Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Drew Brees in the booth as backups to Collinsworth.

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