Football Rocks! Part 4

The NFL ends each football season with the most viewed music show of the year during halftime of the Super Bowl. Now, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is kicking off the football season with the Concert for Legends featuring music superstar Tim McGraw. ProFootballHOF.com is taking a look at the history of music and its relationship with the NFL in this special “Football Rocks” series.

Part 1 - Super Bowl Halftime History | Part 2 - Female Super Bowl Performers | Part 3 - Celebs Love Football | Part 4 - Aerosmith and Football | Part 5 - Tim McGraw's Passion for the Game | Inaugural Concert for Legends Recap

By: Jason Rentner (@Jay25R)

Aerosmith has been heavily involved with professional football as both fans and entertainment acts. The band, which includes Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whitford (guitar), formed in Boston, Massachusetts and played their first gig in 1970. Growing up in the area, the band became avid fans of the New England Patriots.

“Having grown up since the age of 2, born in Lawrence, Ma., 45 minutes from Foxborough Stadium and seen the franchise grow has been an amazing experience. As Aerosmith began traveling the world and became our own Hall of Famers, seeing the Patriots under the brilliant guidance of the Kraft family, we would hear the news of our hometown team winning again as we were doing a show in a far flung corner of the world and we would swell with pride and think, ‘Ya those are our boys.’ The fact that American Football is worldwide news, shows the intensity of the game and the impact of how you play it,” said Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

Because of the band’s love for the game, members of Aerosmith have performed multiple times at NFL games, including the 2011 AFC Championship Game and two Super Bowls.

Arguably Aerosmith’s biggest show of their career was during halftime of Super Bowl XXXV. Their unforgettable performance featured an all-star lineup of musical acts including Nelly, Nsync, Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige. Aerosmith brought down the house and entertained millions of fans worldwide by performing their hits “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” “Jaded,” and “Walk This Way.”

Even their Super Bowl XXXV introduction video was a hit. The video featured A-list celebrities Ben Stiller as Aerosmith and Nsync’s halftime coordinator or a “Pageant Piston” alongside Adam Sandler as their choreographer and Chris Rock.

Watch the entire show, including the introduction video, below.

The performance was such a hit the NFL invited Aerosmith back to be part of the “Welcome to Houston – The Spirit of Texas” Super Bowl XXXVIII pregame show. They played their hits “Baby Please Don’t Go” and “Dream On.” The pregame show also featured Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Walter Suhr and Mango Punch!