Super Bowl LVI features alumni performers

As announced by the National Association of the Deaf, Super Bowl LVI will feature not just one deaf performer, but three! 

The Super Bowl first started inviting deaf performers to sign the National Anthem in 1992 with Lori Hilary alongside Harry Connick Jr. Over the years, various alumni have graced the field, including Phyllis Frelich, ’67; John Maucere, E-’87; Marlee Matlin, H-’87; Warren ”Wawa” Snipe, ’94; Angela LaGuardia, ’97; Kriston Lee Pumphrey, ’05; Aaaron Loggins, ’08; and Rachel Mazique, ’08.

This year, alumna Sandra Mae Frank, ’13, will perform the National Anthem and America the Beautiful.  During the halftime show, for the first time in history, Deaf musicians Warren “Wawa” Snipe, ’94, and Sean Forbes will perform along with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.

Tune in on February 13 at 6 p.m. to see these talented alumni appear on a nationwide stage. The Gallaudet University community is rooting for these performers, and wishes them well on their performances!

Statement from Gallaudet University:

Gallaudet University congratulates Sandra Mae Frank, Warren “Wawa” Snipe, and Sean Forbes on their selection to perform at this year’s Super Bowl.  We are delighted that two of our alumni – Sandra Mae and WAWA – are among the featured performers starring in this year’s event. While the National Anthem and America the Beautiful have been presented in American Sign Language for decades, this year marks the first time that there will be ASL performers during the halftime entertainment. This is a significant step forward, a model for others, in how to make our world more inclusive for millions of deaf and hard of hearing people across the globe. We are so proud of our alumni and our thanks to the National Football League, the National Association of the Deaf, and Pepsi for making this possible.

On Sunday, millions of sports fans worldwide will witness and enjoy the outstanding talent of these three incredible artists.  Sandra Mae, WAWA and Sean will remind the world of the critical role that language access – signed or spoken – serves in making all of us feel included and that we belong. Without question, Sandra Mae, WAWA and Sean will show future generations of deaf children what is possible.

Good luck to Sandra Mae, WAWA and Sean  – Go Bison! – and we look forward to a great game on Sunday.