Marking its 24th year, the groundbreaking music and inspiration extravaganza “Super Bowl Soulful Celebration: An Evening of Inspiration and Culture,” (formerly Super Bowl Gospel Celebration) returns during Super Bowl LVII week with a live taping on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona.
The only multicultural program and community event sanctioned by the NFL during Super Bowl weekend, the highly anticipated night of music, comedy, NFL Players and soulful inspiration is themed “Unstoppable,” with featured performances from the legendary Patti LaBelle, Israel Houghton, The Players Choir and more!
“Super Bowl Soulful Celebration: An Evening of Inspiration and Culture,” (formerly Super Bowl Gospel Celebration)
In addition to uplifting and inspiring audiences with musical tributes, Super Bowl Soulful Celebration highlights NFL players, their faith and philanthropy. This year, the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration will confer its highest honor, the “Faith In Action” Award, to Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback and Super Bowl LVII contender Jalen Hurts.
The “Faith In Action” award honors current and former NFL players making an impact in their communities and in the lives of others off the field. Jalen’s service to the Philadelphia community, numerous charities and his native Texas has aided countless individuals and institutions. Previous recipients of this special recognition include Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, Tim Brown, Russell Wilson, Tony Dungy and Troy Vincent, among others.
Super Bowl Soulful Celebration: An Evening of Inspiration and Culture, formerly Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (SBGC), is founded and executive produced by Atlanta-based marketing consultant Melanie Few. Conceived in 1999 as a gospel brunch in Miami, Super Bowl Soulful Celebration continues as the only multicultural program and inspirational event sanctioned by the NFL during Super Bowl weekend. The evening brings together an ensemble of NFL players, gospel/contemporary Christian performers, comedy and award-winning musicians spanning all genres on one stage for a spectacular show filled with song, hope, laughter and uplifting messages of inspiration. This year’s show-stopping performers include the illustrious Patti LaBelle, joined by Israel Houghton, The Players Choir and more.
Originating at Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, the annual event joins together key NFL Players, top Gospel/Contemporary Christian and mainstream GRAMMY® Award winning artists, and special guests all on one stage to bring audiences an evening of uplifting music, laughter, and inspirational messages.
Past programs have featured show stopping performances from artists such as Yolanda Adams, CeeLo Green, Chloe Bailey, Kirk Franklin, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Patti LaBelle, Erica Campbell, Gladys Knight, Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, and Anthony Hamilton among others.
The Players Choir, comprised of former NFL players
For fifteen years, the Players Choir has delivered one of the most highly-anticipated musical performances during the biggest weekend in sports, the annual Super Bowl Weekend. Making its debut in 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona during the 9th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (now Super Bowl Soulful Celebration), the choir launched with more than 40 active and former NFL players under the direction of Grammy Award-Winning artist, Donnie McClurkin.
Developed by Super Bowl Soulful Celebration Founder and Executive Producer Melanie Few with a core group of NFL players who wanted to share their faith through song, this summer the group delivered two fan-favorite performances on the highest-rated television variety competition show “America’s Got Talent,” (AGT) – the classic Bill Withers anthem “Lean on Me” and Justin Timberlake’s chart-topping “Can’t Stop The Feeling.”
Led by Grammy-winning Gospel producer Myron Butler, now the choir is back in the city where it all began for a special milestone appearance — current and former NFL Players appearing with the choir include: Bryan Scott, Buffalo Bills; Cameron Newton, Atlanta Falcons; Michael Gaines, Carolina Panthers; Stephen Pierce, Cleveland Browns; Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills; Tully Banta-Cain, New England Patriots; Jamon Brown, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams; Trey Williams, USFL (previously Cowboys); Nathan Palmer, 49ers, Broncos; KeShun Freeman, New Orleans Saints; Dwayne Wright, Buffalo Bills; Prince Amukamara, NY Giants; Willie Yarbary, USFL (previously LA Chargers); Michael Martin, Cincinnati Bengals; and Timothy Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders.
To stay up to date with the latest Players Choir news and activities, please follow them on social @PlayersChoir.
Melanie Few, SBSC founder
Meet the Visionary, Melanie Few
Melanie Few, Founder, Executive Producer, and NFL Sanction Holder of Results Marketing and Media (RMM). Melanie is the only female and person of color with an NFL sanctioned event. She also founded the (NFL) Players Choir in 2014, which has become a staple performance at Super Bowl Soulful Celebration. The Players Choir drew national recognition with their fan favorite appearances on “America’s Got Talent” in 2022. Melanie’s company RMM has partnered with agencies and corporations alike to create, plan and produce over two hundred integrated marketing events, representing more than thirty brands across sixty product categories.
The highly-anticipated 23rd Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration returns to television with faith, family and football during the biggest weekend in sports! Premiering with a brand new trio of distribution partners, Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is simulcast on Saturday, February 12 at 8pm ET/7pm CT on Bounce TV and for the very first time will stream on Prime Video and on IMDb TV, both without need of a Prime membership.
The debut telecast will be followed by an encore on ION Sunday, February 13 at 12am ET/11pm CT, and will continue to be available to stream in front of the paywall on Prime Video and on IMDb TV throughout February in celebration of Black History Month.
Sarah Jakes RobertsDC Young Fly
Themed “Catch the Light,” the groundbreaking praise and worship extravaganza is an annual highlight of Super Bowl weekend, hosted this season by inspirational figure Sarah Jakes Roberts and funnyman DC Young Fly. This unique annual praise fest highlights NFL players and their faith, with uplifting songs of joy and shout-worthy, never-before-seen performances and mashups. Viewers are offered a rare glimpse into the spiritual lives of their favorite NFL players, as well as what inspires them to greatness each day. The hour-long show was taped in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas as a concession to the still ongoing COVID pandemic.
“This 23-year journey with the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is a testament to how faith can grow the seed of a dream into a reality far greater than any plan we might have set out to achieve. Despite every obstacle placed in our path, our faith in this vision has been rewarded with this anointed production that has touched the lives of so many.”
Melanie Few, Founder and Executive Producer
Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is making a special presentation to the 2022 Lifetime of Inspiration Award recipient Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, sponsored by Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator. The current head coach for Jackson State University’s football team, two-time Super Bowl champion, Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year is being honored for his commitment to bringing more visibility to HBCU sports franchises, and reinvigorating HBCU sports into high-profile must watch events. Coach Prime is one of only four NFL Players to ever receive this prestigious award.
“As we approach our 23rd anniversary, I am so very thankful for the support and partnership of the National Football League. I am also excited for the amazing partners that have joined forces to help elevate this brand. It is truly a privilege to honor Coach Prime as I have followed him his entire career and watched him be a light to others, both on and off the field,” added Few, the only woman and person of color that produces an NFL sanctioned event during Super Bowl week.
“Super Bowl Gospel provides an opportunity for our players to celebrate their faith,” said Arthur McAfee, the NFL’s senior vice president for player engagement. “A large number of our players are of faith, and they celebrate that faith many ways during the course of the game and throughout the season. You may see them take a knee and pray, either prior to or after the game. This is one of the natural connections we have to help players elevate their platform.”
Mali Music & Chloe perform “Miracle”Lecrae leads the 2022 SBGC CypherNatalie Grant performs, accompanied by Bernie HermsPastor Mike, Jr. and Cee-Lo perform “Amazing”The incomparable CeCe WinansRegina Belle performs with the NFL Choir
This year’s production features a roster of anointed performances including a Gospel medley from multiple Grammy Award winner CeCe Winans; a duet between Pastor Mike, Jr. and multi-talented entertainer CeeLo Green; Mali Music joining singer/actress Chloe in a heartfelt collaboration to salute individuals impacted by cancer; singer/songwriter Natalie Grant; and a cypher led by two-time Grammy-winning Christian rapper Lecrae.
Songstress Regina Belle is joining the famed NFL Players Choir for an inspiring song selection closing out the show. Other slated guest appearances include Seattle Seahawks Quarterback – Russell Wilson, Cleveland Browns Defensive End – Myles Garrett, New Orleans Saints Defensive End – Cam Jordan, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback – Kirk Cousins, Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver – Stefon Diggs, Kansas City Chiefs Tight End – Travis Kelce, New England Patriots Linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year contender – Matt Judon.
The Black Women’s Health Imperative, the first and only national non-profit focused on the health and wellness of Black women and girls, will present a special recognition to retired Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams for his contributions to driving life-saving cancer screenings through his nonprofit, The DeAngelo Williams Foundation.
The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration continues its decades long run as the only sanctioned gospel event and will be available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, and on IMDb TV in the U.S. and the U.K. Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (SBGC) was originally founded and executive produced in 1999 as a gospel brunch in Miami by Atlanta-based marketing consultant Melanie Few and continues as the only multicultural program and inspirational event sanctioned by the NFL during Super Bowl weekend. The evening brings together an ensemble of NFL players, gospel/contemporary Christian performers, award-winning musicians spanning all genres, and faith-based leaders on one stage for a spectacular show filled with song, prayer, hope and uplifting messages.
Past SBGC shows have featured performers such as Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Koryn Hawthorne, Patti Labelle, Erica Campbell, Gladys Knight, Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, and Anthony Hamilton among others.
This year’s Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is sponsored by NFL Player Engagement, Black Women’s Health Imperative, United Airlines, Juice Plus+, Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, and Compassion International. For more information, visit superbowlgospel.com and join the social conversation using
#SuperBowlGospel and #CatchTheLight.
Broadcast Airing – Multi-Network: ● Premiere – Saturday, February 12 on Bounce TV at 8 pm ET/7pm CT ● Encore airing – Saturday, February 12 on Bounce TV at 9 pm ET/8pm CT ● Encore airing – Sunday, February 13 on ION at 12 am ET/11 pm CT ● Encore airing – Sunday, February 13 on Bounce TV – (2) timeslots – 10 am ET/9am CT and 11 am ET/10am CT Streaming – Prime Video ● Premiere – Saturday, February 12, 2022 ● Video On-Demand – All of February 2022 as Black History Month Spotlight
