Super Bowl LVII: Who is Colin Denny? Hearing-impaired Native American sign language expert to star in big game
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: The Super Bowl has historically attracted more television viewers than any other program in the country due to the intense anticipation around the game and the high level of entertainment that goes well beyond the on-field action. The big game is a significant moment in pop culture because of the pre-game ceremonies and celebrations as well as the halftime entertainment.
While Rihanna's performance at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show is already known, the NFL revealed the rest of the Super Bowl's entertainment on Tuesday, January 31. Colin Denny, a Navajo Native American who is hearing-impaired, will perform 'America the Beautiful' using a combination of American Sign Language and North American Indian Sign Language.
READ MORE
What is the history of Super Bowl? NFL game returns to Los Angeles where it all started 55 years ago
Who is Donna Kelce? Meet first mom in history to have two sons play against each other in Super Bowl
Who is Colin Denny?
Colin Denny was born in Shiprock, New Mexico, and reared in Pinon, Arizona, both in the Navajo Nation. His family members, who are Navajo community members teaching the Navajo language, are deeply committed to education, as reported by NAD.
Colin was born into the Coyote Pass People Clan and is also a member of the Water Flowing Together People Clan. His paternal grandfather is from the Many Goat Clan, while his maternal grandfather is from the Red Running into Water Clan.
Colin wants to promote sign language by teaching American Sign Language and learning North American Indian Sign Language. He is pursuing a Master in Art in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University, has a B.A. in Art and Media Design from Gallaudet, and an A.A. from the University of Arizona, where he works as a research assistant on the study of North American Indian Sign Language in Fine Art from Diné College, and graduated from the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind in 2009.
Who else is performing at the Super Bowl?
Eight-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton will perform the national anthem before the game. The country singer has also won honors from the Academy of Country Music ten times and the Country Music Association fifteen times.
A performance of 'America the Beautiful' by Babyface will take place before the game. The 64-year-old has 125 Top 10 hits, 44 No. 1 R&B hits, and 16 No. 1 pop successes to his credit. He is a 12-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer.
The Emmy, Critics' Choice, and Independent Spirit Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The 66-year-old has a fruitful acting career and is up for an NAACP Image Award and a Golden Globe, as reported by CBS sports.
Troy Kotsur, an Arizona native, will sing the national anthem on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf in American Sign Language (ASL) (NAD). For his part in the movie "CODA," Kotsur became only the second hearing-impaired person in history to get an Oscar.
Justina Miles, a hearing-impaired performer, will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and perform the halftime act in ASL. Female aviators will be a part of the formation during the flyover in recognition of the 50th anniversary of women pilots in the U.S. Navy.
On Sunday, February 5, the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs will compete for the Lombardi Trophy in the AFC Championship Game, while the San Francisco 49ers will travel to Philadelphia for the NFC Championship Game.