Peeps, check out the 26th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, premiering this Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT on Fox. This year’s theme “Keep Going”, represents the Super Bowl host city’s resiliency and overcoming attitude.
This year’s hosts are Rosci Diaz, a New Orleans native who co-hosts Tubi’s ‘We Got Time Today’, and actor and comedian, Bill Bellamy. This NFL-sanctioned event, founded by Melanie Few, is one of the most celebrated platforms during Super Bowl week. It is more than a celebration; it is a cultural experience filled with faith and inspiration.
NEW ORLEANS CULTURAL ROYALTY
The Big Easy culture was brought to life on the primetime stage, which was only fitting in a city best known for its rich music culture. The hometown lineup performance featured Master P, Trombone Shorty, Lucky Daye, and Big Freedia, giving viewers an enriching musical performance to dance along to.
Even the red-carpet premiere showcased the essence of NOLA, featuring second-line dancing by the Black Masking Indians, Lika Dawg $pinners, and the vibrant sound of NOLA with the horns playing along.
New Orleans’ Black Masking Indians; Courtesy of Front Page Firm
“What you see is what you get,” Louisiana State Representative Candace Newell of District 99 (New Orleans) told the Exclusive Press (EP) quote when talking about the city’s culture.
Newell shared that the city is all about the good times, which will have guests filling their bellies with good food and music.
“If you come into the city; we’re giving you the New Orleans spirit from the time you land at the Louis Armstrong Airport to the time you check out of your hotel. You can’t help, but to feel the energy of New Orleans. I’m so grateful that so many are here to experience this,”
Candace Newell , Louisiana State Representative, District 99
Big Freedia, known for his Bounce music and having worked with artists such as Beyonce, Lizzo, Drake, and Boyz II Men, told the EP that his love for the city is everything to him. He gives his audience that inner NOLA onstage through his music.
The event also featured epic, soulful performances from the legendary Isley Brothers, Muni Long, Tori Kelly, Yolanda Adams, Jonathan McReynolds, and the NFL Players Choirs, joining their talents with the spirit of the Big Easy.
FOOTBALL AND SOUL
The Soulful Celebration honored NFL players and the legend Michael Strahan. The GMA and Fox NFL Sunday host received the Lifetime of Inspiration Award. New Orleans Saints’ Cameron Jordan received the Community Award for his off-field impact in the New Orleans community.
Other awards went to former LSU Tigers standout and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who received the Faith in Action award. Former South Carolina State standout Cobie Durant of the Los Angeles Rams received the HBCU Spotlight Player Award, and NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams was presented with the Rising Star Award.
NFL PLAYERS CHOIR AND FEEDBACK FROM THE GRIDIRON PLAYERS
NFL players not only perform at a high level on the field, but also offstage with their musical talent with the NFL Players Choir. The choir, which is a regular at the Soulful Celebration, provides a sense of hope and inspiration with its music. The choir has also performed at many notable events, such as the Essence Festivals and America’s Got Talent.
The original Cameron Newton of the NFL Players Choir shared with the Exclusive that those watching are in for a good treat. Fellow choir member, Stephen Pierce, told the EP that music, in general, is not only inspiring but healing. Newton added that music is a form of expression that people can relate to because it’s a heart-to-heart connection.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker EJ Speed, who also attended the event, shared with the Exclusive that this was his first time hearing the NFL Players’ Choir take the stage.
“I got a good resume. “I have a two-step,” he revealed, showcasing his talent beyond football.
Speed told the Exclusive that the event is all about everyone having a wonderful time, adding that sports gave him so much in life, including seeing the entertainment, media, and stage performance on one of the biggest music stages.
When asked if he’d be interested in joining the player choir, the 29-year-old jokingly said, “I don’t want to be the weakest link.” Give me a season and let me get some classes and my monotone [together], and I’ll be straight,” Speed stated.
Darrell Ray Green, a two-time Super Bowl Champ and NFL Hall of Famer of the Washington Redskins, expressed his excitement of the unique spirit of New Orleans and the celebration of God through music with some of the artists, including his fellow Houstonian, Yolanda Adams. Green also shared that, most importantly, he wants to see how God celebrates in every way that uplifts people.
ESSENCE OF THE SOULFUL CELEBRATION
Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds, who also gave a stunning performance at the event, told the EP that it’s an honor to be at the Soulful Celebration. He expressed that he was excited to be in an atmosphere of excellent people in music and sports.
L-R: Jonathan McReynolds, Yolanda Adams and her daughter, Taylor, and Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers and his wife; Courtesy of Front Page Firm
“New Orleans is always a cool place to come to,” he shared with the EP.
When asked about the city’s NOLA spirit coming to life on the big stage, he told the EP it’s a wonderful experience.
“I know that I’m not an authentic New Orleanians, but I still appreciate [the city’s music culture]. For two months, I would watch videos of the bands singing “When the Saints Go Marching In” and all of the horns, and it’s beautiful, and then, of course, when you come here, you get fat a little bit”, he added.
In a press release, the founder and executive producer of the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, expressed her deep gratitude for the remarkable journey the NFL-sanctioned event has taken since its inception.
New Orleans is a city with a heartbeat of music, a legacy of strength, and a deep sense of community—qualities that reflect the very soul of this celebration,” she expressed in the press release. The event is thriving, and the Soulful Celebration perfectly embodies the show’s theme of perseverance, which is now 26 years old and still going strong.
