Gomez Headlines Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Game Halftime Show

Selena Gomez has returned to her Dallas area roots this Thanksgiving… in a big way.

The 21-year-old half-Mexican singer/actress, a Grand Prarie, Texas native, returned home to headline the Dallas CowboysOakland Raiders halftime show.

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Gomez energetically rocked the stage at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving day as she performed on behalf of The Salvation Army.

Donning a sexy bodysuit, a fringe leather skirt and a pair of gold gladiator wedges, Gomez kicked off her three-song set with “Like a Champion.

In the middle of performing her current hit “Slow Down“, the former Disney Channel star shed the skirt and revealed a pair of leather hot pants.

Gomez, who was joined by several dancers, cheerleaders and flag bearers, then concluded her set with “Come and Get It“.

All three songs appear on Stars Dance, the singer’s latest chart-topping album.

Charlotte Anderson, the Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer, has explained why the team decided to have Gomez perform during the halftime show. Anderson, who is also the first woman chair of the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board, said that she wanted someone who can inspire a new generation.

“Particularly this year, clearly with Selena Gomez, the whole concept is to mobilize a younger generation,” Anderson explained. “This generation is yards ahead of us in terms of how they communicate. She is the perfect person to go to when you’re trying to reach that generation.”

“If we can inspire people to give and help the Salvation Army, then we can help people one step at a time and really help address significant problems,” she added.

Del Rio Named Interim Head Coach for the Denver Broncos

Jack Del Rio has a Mile High mission…

The 50-year-old half-Mexican American football coach, the current defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, has been named the team’s interim head coach.

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Del Rio will be filling in for head coach John Fox, who will be taking a leave of absence to recover from surgery to replace a valve in his heart.

The announcement doesn’t come as much of a surprise to many inside the organization given Del Rio’s experience. He served as the head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars for nine seasons until he was fired with five games remaining in the 2011 season.

Del Rio was 69-73 in Jacksonville and he led the Jaguars to playoffs twice as a wild card team.

Del Rio is expected to maintain play-calling duties with the defense while he is the interim coach.

“I sincerely appreciate all of the support from friends, Denver Broncos fans and so many around the league today,” Fox said in a statement released by the team Saturday night. “Although I am disappointed I must take some time away from the team to attend to this pre-existing health condition, I understand that it’s the right thing to do. I have great confidence in our coaches and players, who are fully committed to our goals.

“I look forward to returning to coaching as soon as possible.”

Del Rio joined Fox’s staff for the 2012 season after Dennis Allen departed to become the Oakland Raiders‘ coach. Del Rio helped push the Broncos to the No. 4 scoring defense last season, the No. 2 defense in terms of yards allowed per game.