Rams stake claim as league’s best and clear Super Bowl favorite
USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon breaks down the Rams SNF’s win over the Buccaneers and how it set the tone for the rest of the season.
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This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is in trouble or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Post Malone wouldn’t have left the stage without a special message.
“I love you 94, I love you!” Malone shouted as the AT&T Stadium crowd roared at the end of his mesmerizing halftime performance on Thanksgiving.
Malone, who also wore a 94 patch on his customized jacket, knew it was fitting to pay tribute to former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Marshawn Kneeland, who committed suicide earlier this month.
“The biggest thing for us is that we have someone we can rely on when we need it the most,” Malone told USA TODAY Sports in Jerry Jones’ suite after the Cowboys’ 31-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Malone, a huge Cowboys fan with deep ties to the franchise and whose father, Rick Post, worked for the team as assistant director of food and beverage for nearly 15 years, was, like many others, saddened by the Kneeland tragedy.
But the award-winning country-rock megastar, whose real name is Austin Post, said his respect for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott also inspired him to make the big statement, performing at halftime of the most-watched NFL game of the season.
Prescott has become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness since his brother Jace died by suicide in 2020.
“It was especially for this gentleman who’s on TV right now,” Malone said as Prescott’s postgame press conference was broadcast on a monitor in the suite. “I know he lost someone near and dear to him. It’s so important to have someone to talk to. I’ve always supported that.”
The fact that Malone, 30, was chosen to perform at halftime was even more significant. As a child, he used to sleep at Texas Stadium while his father worked the night shift. Rick Post worked at the Cowboys’ old home before moving to AT&T Stadium.
“He said he was more nervous about the game than the halftime show,” Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones told USA TODAY Sports.
It turned out to be a win-win.
“This is a special place,” Malone said.
Jerry Jones would have no objection to that. He told reporters in the postgame press conference that he was “very excited” about Malone’s performance during the halftime show, which also kicks off the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign.
“You know his history,” Jones said. “When my dad was in charge of all our drinks, he would come in every night and sleep at (Texas Stadium). And he slept there for years because my mom worked. And when my mom was done working, he went home.”
As Jones recalled, the child was about 4 or 5 years old.
“We got him a cot and he was able to sleep,” Jones said.
And now look at him. They set the stage for him and he was moved.
