This year’s Super Bowl Gospel Celebration marked its 16th year with a blowout evening of powerful inspiration and entertainment, capped by inspirational moments, awards, special tributes, and starring performances from legendary icon Gladys Knight as headlining performer, to Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, DeWayne Woods, Anthony Hamilton, Dave Hollister, Mali Music, and the NFL Players Choir. A perennial favorite during Super Bowl weekend, singers, entertainers, athletes, fans and more came together in Tempe, AZ in celebration of music, faith and football, including appearances from actors Boris Kodjoe and Tichina Arnold, and NFL players Russell Okung (Seattle Seahawks), Devon Still (Cincinnati Bengals), Rashad Jennings (New York Giants), Justin Bethel (Arizona Cardinals), NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris, joining the evening’s co-hosts, actress Holly Robinson Peete and retired NFL star Rodney Peete at the 16th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.
Made possible with gracious support from Presenting Sponsor American Family Insurance, the 2015 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was held at ASU Gammage on Friday January 30th. Double Grammy®-nominee and Phoenix native Mali Music kicked off the show, opening with a musical medley – and the acclaimed NFL Players Choir (featuring current/retired players), under the direction of Myron Butler, marked its 8th year performing on stage – along with DeWayne Woods, joined by Anthony Hamilton and Dave Hollister, taking the stage for a never-before-seen performance of the new song “Friend of Mine.” A mix of praise celebration, community inspiration and poignant moments, the night featured Bengals’ player Devon Still receiving the Inspirational Game Ball award, and NFL player Justin Forsett (Baltimore Ravens) receiving the Spirit of David award, plus special tributes to gospel music legend Andraé Crouch and beloved sportscaster Stuart Scott.
Highlighting the spirit of faith and team sports united under one roof, this year’s Super Bowl Gospel Celebration also included appearances from Benjamin Watson (New Orleans Saints), former NFL player Israel Idonije (Chicago Bears), Kelvin Beachum (Pittsburgh Steelers), with a host of luminaries attending the show, including NFL champion Emmitt Smith and Patricia Smith, New England Patriots team chaplain Jack Easterby, Shark Tank’s Daymond John, singer Rebecca King-Crews, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, and more. One of only five NFL-sanctioned events, each year the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration donates a portion of its proceeds to local and national charities. Created and executive produced by Melanie Few-Harrison, for the past 15 years the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has brought together a singular concert event blowout mix of superstar secular, Christian/Gospel artists and athletes, to uplift and celebrate the community in the host city of the Super Bowl game, and each year, the team that has also sent representation (players and/or staff) to the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has won the Super Bowl game that year.
The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was produced by event creator and NFL Sanction Holder, Melanie Few-Harrison, and Bart Phillips from Sunseeker Media. The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration also aired as a one-hour special on BET and Centric this year on Super Bowl Sunday, February 1st.
Check out pictures from this year’s Super Bowl Gospel Celebration below:
