3S. At the Steelers Game, Toby Keith’s Daughter Gave a Tribute That Touched Every Heart in the Stadium

Krystal Keith Honors Her Father Toby Keith With Powerful Tribute at Steelers–Bengals NFL Game

On Sunday night (Nov. 16), Krystal Keith delivered a deeply emotional tribute performance during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals — a moment that honored not only her late father, Toby Keith, but also the American servicemen and women he loved so dearly.

And in doing so, she kept a beloved Keith family football tradition alive.

A Full-Circle Moment 23 Years in the Making

Back in 2001, Toby Keith performed the National Anthem at the very first football game ever held at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium (then known as Heinz Field). The matchup? The Steelers versus the Bengals.
The result? A Steelers victory.

On Sunday, history repeated itself:

• Same teams.
• Same stadium.
• Another Steelers win.

Krystal even joked afterward,
“The Keith/Steelers winning streak continues!”

A Family Tribute Filled With Emotion

Krystal’s behind-the-scenes footage revealed just how meaningful the night was. She brought her daughters, Kirby and Hensley, to the stadium — a special moment, since Toby had shared his passion for the Steelers with Krystal from the time she was a little girl.

“Yesterday was a dream come true,” she wrote.

Stepping onto the field brought back powerful memories:

“Every moment of sitting on my dad’s lap as a kid watching The Bus plow through defenders came rushing back when I stepped on Heinz Field. I have proudly worn Steelers colors my entire life.”

For Krystal, introducing her daughters to her father’s favorite team — in the city he loved — was a moment she will never forget.

Honoring the Military — and Her Father

Krystal paid tribute to both Toby Keith and America’s servicemen and women by singing the National Anthem, followed by a halftime performance of two of her father’s most meaningful songs:

Halftime Songs Performed

• “Don’t Let the Old Man In”
• “American Soldier”

Her performance echoed her father’s unwavering support for the military — a central part of Toby’s identity and legacy.

Krystal previously performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” during Toby Keith: American Icon, NBC’s 2024 all-star tribute celebrating his music and life.

Krystal Keith: Carrying the Musical Torch

Krystal is the only one of Toby Keith’s three children who pursued music professionally. She is best known for the emotional wedding ballad “Daddy Dance With Me,” which she first performed at her own wedding. Though she later stepped back from the spotlight to focus on her family, she has continued performing occasionally — including the National Anthem at the NCAA Women’s Softball Championship in June 2024.

Since Toby Keith’s passing from stomach cancer in February 2024, the family has stayed connected and present in meaningful ways — gathering at the Kentucky Derby and celebrating the birth of Toby’s granddaughter, Millie.

Toby Keith’s Courageous Final Years

Toby Keith died at 62 after a brave fight with stomach cancer. He announced his diagnosis publicly in 2022, and despite his declining health, he returned to the stage in 2023 for several Las Vegas shows and was honored with the People’s Choice Country Icon Award.

He remained a fighter — and a patriot — until the very end.