The D.C. area showed up and showed out for Super Bowl LVIII, which kicked off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. From performers to influential Washingtonians taking in the action, the District was well represented during the 58th “big game.”
Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and U.S. Space Force Honor Guard, based at D.C.’s Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), helped begin the night in a salute to the nation. U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Airman 1st Class Ryan Ross and U.S. Space Force Honor Guard Tech Sgt. Brandon Lightburn served as the ceremonial guardsmen for the special night in football.
“We’re exceptionally proud to have two of our sharpest ceremonial guardsmen represent us on such a public stage,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Peter Mask, commander of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, in a news release. “We take an immense sense of pride in representing the United States Air Force and United States Space Force for the nation and we are honored to be able to showcase the military precision and professionalism of our airmen and guardians to the world.”
This was the first year a guardian carried the Space Force flag during the Super Bowl.
“It’s an honor to be the first-ever guardian to carry the Space Force flag at the Super Bowl,” said Lightburn. “This is what we as a unit train for on a day-to-day basis so I’m very excited to showcase what we can do with the world.”
Ross also weighed in on the enormity of the moment.
“I feel beyond blessed to be given this opportunity,” said Ross.
Gallaudet Graduates Showcased in Pregame Show, ASL Community Calls for More Representation
In addition to JBAB representing D.C., two Gallaudet University alumni served as sign language interpreters for the ASL pregame performances. Daniel Durant, who graduated in 2015, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” with Reba McEntire, while Anjel Piñero, a 2022 alumna of the Northeast, D.C.-based university, accompanied Post Malone to sign “America, the Beautiful.”
Actor, dancer and choreographer Shaheem Sanchez joined Andra Day to sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and also performed the ASL Halftime Show, only in its second year of existence.
The pregame and halftime shows are produced by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), LOVE SIGN, and the NFL
After the game, CBS found themselves under fire from viewers and members of the deaf community after failing to showcase either segment during the Super Bowl.
On Feb. 11, actress Marlee Matlin slammed the network in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying she was “absolutely SHOCKED,” CBS introduced deaf performers during the pregame show, but then did not show “even one second (or more) of their performance.”
According to Axios, data shows that of the 32 national anthem performances since 1992, most ASL performers received 8% or less screen time; and in the span of 30 years, only two interpreters have appeared for the full length of the national anthem, Matlin being the first.
In 2023, Bowie State University’s Justina Miles went viral on social media for her signed renditions during Rihanna’s halftime performance. Last year’s Super Bowl was the first time a deaf woman performed at the halftime show, and Miles left a reigning impression, earning 16 million views on a TikTok post of her performance.
In a press conference held on Feb. 9, 2023, the Bowie State cheerleader explained how important it was to share that moment with the world, and “to really bring that empowerment to millions and millions of Black deaf people all over the country who’ve never really seen that before.”
Tony Lewis Jr. Represents in the Stands
In January, activist Tony Lewis Jr. told The Informer that the Washington Commanders gifted him with two tickets to this year’s big game when he was honored as the 2023 Changemaker on Dec. 31. At that time, he proudly declared he’d be bringing his wife Jessica Lewis.
After the Super Bowl, the D.C. native and co-author of “Slugg: A Boy’s Life in the Age of Mass Incarceration,” took to Instagram, sharing that he and his wife enjoyed their time in Las Vegas and at the game.
“The energy in Las Vegas this weekend was out of this world,” he wrote.
