Report: Nelly to perform at halftime of Big 12 Championship Game Dec. 2

The Big 12 Championship Game will have a big performance at halftime from rapper Nelly this December, according to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark promised he’d spice things up as leader of the conference and in addition to expansion, he landed a big name, albeit an older one. Nelly has huge in the early 2000s, so it could be a nice throwback performance during the halftime show.

The 48-year-old Austin, Texas native has eight studio albums to his name, with his most recent one Heartland coming out in 2021.

“Nelly will perform a Super Bowl-like halftime show on ABC at the Big 12 title game Dec. 2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ,” McMurphy wrote on Twitter. “Kickoff is at noon ET.”

Nelly is no stranger to football. He had a supporting role in the remake of The Longest Yard (2005) as Earl Megget, a talented running back on the prison team. The film starred Adam Sandler.

Heck, the movie had Michael Irvin in it! So essentially Nelly will return to the football field in an entertainment capacity this winter in the final year of the Big 12 as we know it.

The conference will expand after losing Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC next year.

AT&T Stadium to host Big 12 Championship through 2025

Nelly gets to perform in the stadium well known for the Big 12 title game, outside of the Dallas Cowboys of course.

“We are pleased to extend our partnership with the Dallas Cowboys for another two years, and to continue holding our football championship in one of the world’s finest stadiums,” Yormark said of keeping the game in Arlington. “The climate-controlled environment along with nearby hotels and the Texas Live! entertainment district provide our guests a best-in-class football experience.”

The modern version of the Big 12 Championship has been around for the past five seasons, coming back in 2017. However, AT&T Stadium hosted the 2009 and 2010 versions as well before college football realignment caused the championship to go away for just under a decade.

Oklahoma has been dominant in Arlington, winning all five of their appearances at AT&T Stadium, which was formerly known as Cowboys Stadium. Texas also won there en route to a national championship appearance in 2009. Baylor, who won this past year, is the only other team to win a Big 12 Championship at “Jerry World.”