Country star Shaboozey is receiving praise from fans for his half-time show when the Chicago Bears faced off against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. The singer performed several of his own songs, including “Tipsy (A Bar Song)” and “Last of My Kind.” Despite some of his songs focusing on drinking at the bar, most viewers were appreciative of the show’s “family friendly” appearance. Many fans celebrated the performance on social media, appreciating the modest clothing of the backup dancers on stage and the lack of political messaging. “#shaboozey is a legitimate artist! No need for grinding, wardrobe malfunctions, Satanic staging! Well done,” wrote one user. “Seriously. Thank God. Something wholesome and enjoyable,” responded another user.

Shaboozey expressed his gratitude for being asked to perform. “So much to be thankful for this year!!! Thank you @lions for having me. And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone watching at home,” he wrote on X. The country singer has had an especially successful year after collaborating with Beyonce on her country album and earning two nominations at the Country Music Awards. Fans have decried the fact that he didn’t win in either of his categories. Some have criticized his loss along racial lines, accusing country music, which has been predominantly dominated by white performers, of being exclusionary. “CMA’s [sic] must have a one Black person rule because after this huge year for Black people in country music Shaboozey is the only one who got a look and he didn’t even win an award,” wrote one user. “lol Shaboozey not winning any award he was nominated for at the CMAs despite having the #1 country song in the country for months is wild. them white folks made it loud and clear how much they don’t want black artists in country even though the genre is ours,” wrote another.

Shaboozey, however, has focused on his success. “Win or lose, this was a historic night I’ll never forget! Thank you CMAs for having me,” he wrote of the CMAs. He celebrated his growing success on X as well. “From a 250 capacity venue to an NFL halftime show in one year is insane. What can’t God do?”