Singer, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at 80, her family announced Aug. 25.
While Parton was best known as the "Queen of Country Music," her interests and impact extended well beyond the radio airwaves. From her work in child literacy and disaster recovery, Parton touched millions of lives. Parton's impact was no different in the sports world, where high-profile performances that lasted well into her 70s connected generations of sports fans to the 5-foot dynamo from eastern Tennessee.
The sports world reacted to Parton's passing with tributes and messages of "we will always love you," from her home-state Tennessee Volunteers and Nashville Predators to fans far and wide.
We join the rest of the world in mourning the passing of entertainment
icon Dolly Parton ❤️ pic.twitter.com/W9D3nT5Gef
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2026
Here are Parton's sports moments that fans will likely never forget.
Dolly Parton dazzles in Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit
It was Thanksgiving 2023, and Parton gave everyone watching the Dallas Cowboys' traditional holiday game something to talk about. Parton wore a custom Cowboys cheerleader outfit during her performance at halftime of the Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders game and drew rave reviews for her energy.
Parton, then 77, performed a medley of her greatest hits on a stage constructed in the middle of the Cowboys' AT&T Stadium, including "Jolene" and "9 to 5." She also sang Queen's "We Are The Champions" and "We Will Rock You."
Parton admitted she was nervous about the performance in a 2024 interview with USA TODAY.
"But I thought, 'Well at my age, if I can pull it off, it's going to be good. And if I don't, I can just pass it off as an old woman doing a stupid thing,'" she said. "I've always said my desire to do something is greater than my fear of it."
Dolly Parton sings 'Rocky Top' at Tennessee Volunteers football game
Every Tennessee girl knows the lyrics to "Rocky Top." Not every Tennessee girl can sing it like Parton. Volunteers football fans were treated to Parton's rendition of their team's unofficial fight song not long before her iconic Cowboys halftime concert.
Escorted to the field by Volunteers legend Peyton Manning, Parton delivered what some called "one of the greatest 'Rocky Top' renditions of all time."
One of the greatest Rocky Top renditions of all time.@DollyParton pic.twitter.com/JA9uhZ1v4H
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 18, 2023
"I couldn't hear because my sound went out and the stadium was so loud," Parton said after her performance to CBS Sports' Jenny Dell."But I was so honored to be here, and I love Peyton, I love the crowd. It's just good to be home."
Tyler Reddick drives Dolly Parton-inspired car
Tyler Reddick's pink and white Chevrolet Camaro, decked out with Dolly Parton's likeness and signature, debuted on April 5, 2019, at the Alsco 300 at Bristol (Tennessee) Motor Speedway. Reddick and the car finished No. 2 in the race – No. 1 in our hearts.
Dolly Parton stays true to her school, Sevier County High
Parton's deep connection to her Tennessee roots showed up in multiple ways, including when her high school alma mater, Sevier County High School, won state championships in girls basketball earlier this year, and when the school's football team won a state tile in 2024.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton's death ripples across sports, where she stole the show
