Super Bowl Halftime Show to feature ASL performers for first time in its history

The National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl is to feature two Deaf performers this year, for the first time in the sporting event’s history.

Hip hop artist Warren ‘Wawa’ Snipe will return to the popular ceremony after performing the national anthem in American Sign Language (ASL) last year. He’ll be joined by rapper Sean Forbes, who became the first Deaf person to enter the Billboard charts in 2020.

The pair will sign the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show on Sunday, while musicians Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar take to the stage.

Speaking to Detroit Free Press, Forbes said: “My goal is to get out there, show what we can do, and have fun. And I want to open the door for other deaf performers.”

In a post on Facebook, Wawa added: “Well beautiful people! Cat’s out the bag! Another humbling and historic event happening!”

The Deaf musicians’ appearances at the show were arranged by the National Association of the Deaf, who together with the NFL said they were “honoured to bring an elevated accessibility experience” to the event.

In addition to Forbes and Snipe’s performances, Deaf actress Sandra Mae Frank will succeed Wawa as the ASL performer for the national anthem and “America the Beautiful”.

The actress is known for her role in the NBC drama New Amsterdam, as well as Netflix series Daybreak and the 2019 film Multiverse.

Information on how to watch the Super Bowl can be found on the NFL’s website.

Photo: DipHopWawa.com and @seanforbes/Instagram.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.