(Richard Drew / Associated Press)

Jesse McCartney will take the field for United Way, the Detroit Lions and the National Football League during the Thanksgiving Day halftime show as part of the Lions vs. Tennessee Titans game at Ford Field Nov. 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

McCartney’s Leavin’ and How Do You Sleep? from his latest Hollywood Records album “Departure,” is a new and edgier pop/R&B sound reflecting McCartney’s growth as both a singer and songwriter. Leavin’ spent five weeks at No. 1 on the CHR/Top 40 Chart and has gone platinum with over one million digital singles on iTunes.

McCartney’s live performance will be the highlight of the halftime show, which focuses on United Way and the NFL’s commitment to youth health and fitness. The show will encourage young fans to get 60 minutes of exercise each day, as part of NFL PLAY 60, the league’s youth health and fitness campaign. United Way is asking NFL fans to support their 10-year goal to get 1.9 million more kids healthy and fit by donating to United Way in-school and after-school fitness programs. Throughout the holiday weekend, fans can log onto nfl.com/play60 to make a donation to United Way to help reverse the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

Previous performers at the Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show have included the Goo Goo Dolls, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, John Mellencamp, Enrique Iglesias and John Fogerty. It takes hundreds of people from throughout Southeastern Michigan volunteering their time and talents to deliver the 10-minute show, which is produced annually by sports/entertainment company e2k.