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Sports

Robert Kraft tells CNN he wants Tom Brady to sign a one-day contract and retire as a New England Patriot

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CNN
 — 

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told CNN on Thursday that he wants Tom Brady to sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a Patriot.

“Not only do I want it, our fans are clamoring for it,” Kraft said. “To us, he is always has been and always will be a Patriot.

“We will do everything in our power to bring him back, have him sign off as a Patriot and find ways to honor him for many years to come.”

Brady announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. Of his record seven Super Bowl wins, six came with New England. Another followed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kraft shared a story of Brady – selected at No. 199 overall in the 2000 NFL draft – when the young quarterback introduced himself near the end of training camp.

The Patriots owner – who now tells CNN Brady should have been the top pick that year instead of going in the sixth round – said the future seven-time Super Bowl winner told him, “I’m the best decision your franchise has ever made.”

“He was No. 4 in our depth chart,” Kraft said. “He came down, and he really believed what he said – and he was right.”

The legendary quarterback announced his retirement after 23 seasons with a video message, where the 45-year-old confirmed he was “retiring for good.”

He first retired in February 2022, but the decision proved temporary as he returned for one more season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady told his father, Tom Brady Sr., about a week ago that he was retiring, according to the elder Brady in a phone interview with the Boston Globe on Wednesday.

“We’re not shocked by any means,” Brady’s dad told the Globe. “He has played football for 32 years out of his 45, living his dream for three-fourths of his life. It’s been a wonderful ride. He’s very secure in his decision. It’s about time.”

“This has been a hard year,” added Brady Sr. in the Globe interview. “I’m really happy for Tommy from the standpoint that he’s going to be able to spend more time with his kids.

“He’s going out on his own terms, and he’s in good health. He’s taken a lot of hits over the years — a lot of sacks, a lot of knockdowns. I am thrilled that he won’t get knocked down again.”

During his long career, three-time league MVP Brady has broken almost every passing record, including regular season passing yards (89,214) and passing touchdowns (649). He has also amassed the most wins of any player in NFL history (251).

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Sports

Man dies following brawl at middle school basketball game

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CNN
 — 

A 60-year-old man died following a brawl that broke out on Tuesday night in the town of Alburgh during a middle school basketball game, Vermont State Police (VST) said in a statement Wednesday.

Russell Giroux was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans where he was pronounced dead, VST said.

“The circumstances of his death are under active investigation,” the statement read.

“Mr. Giroux’s body will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death,” it added.

The statement from VST indicated Giroux participated in a large fight that involved multiple spectators during a 7th-8th grade boys basketball game between Alburgh and St. Albans. Alburgh is located approximately one hour north of Burlington.

Troopers were called at around 7 p.m. to the Alburgh Community Education Center. By the time they arrived, the brawl was over and some of the participants left the school, VST said.

“This investigation is in its earliest stages and involves members of the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division and Victim Services Unit,” VST added.

“The state police is working with Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito on this case.”

According to CNN affiliate WCAX, Grand Isle State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito said police are gathering video footage and information about who was there.

“In some respects, I’m at a loss for words. This should never happen,” said DiSabito, according to WCAX.

“Very sad. And it’s because of adults and I’m sad for my community.”

School officials released statements on Wednesday expressing their shock over Giroux’s death and condemned the violence that took place.

“The Maple Run Unified School District condemns the violence that occurred during the basketball game,” Maple Run Unified School District said in a Wednesday statement.

“We expect better from our communities. Fighting and violence are wholly inconsistent with the behaviors we encourage and support.

“We always seek to foster a positive learning environment in school and at school events for our students.

“The tragic events that preceded Mr. Giroux’s death have caused our schools to evaluate school programs and community involvement.”

The district said it informed school staff of the incident and is working to support students and families, “dealing with the consequences of the altercation and Mr. Giroux’s death.”

The district said it urges the Agency of Education and the Vermont Principal’s Association to consider how to best respond to unruly spectators following a spate of bad behavior.

In a letter addressed to the Alburgh community on Wednesday, the Grand Isle Supervisory Union said its “immediate goal is to remind and educate our students and families that our school culture is one of family, community, and kindness.”

“In order to best support the students and staff of the Alburgh Community Education Center, the GISU has arranged for additional support, if needed, with our regional partners to be available throughout the day.”

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Sports

Tom Brady’s broadcasting future presents new challenge for the ultimate champion

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CNN
 — 

Tom Brady was the ultimate winner on the field but that success does not guarantee the seven-time Super Bowl champion will make a seamless transition when he steps into the TV booth to begin his new role as a lead NFL analyst.

The 45-year-old Brady, who retired from the National Football League earlier on Wednesday after an illustrious 23-year career, agreed last May to join Fox Sports when his age-defying career as a quarterback came to an end.

Brady, whose intense preparation for games has been well-chronicled, has an unmatched knowledge of the sport. If he can translate what he sees on the field as quickly as he processed plays as a quarterback, he could prove to be one of the best analysts around.

But making the switch from the field to the TV booth is not always easy, and being relaxed, laughing at himself and not clamoring for attention could take time.

“It’s going to be a challenge. Tom is a pretty serious guy, at least in terms of his public persona,” Neal Pilson, the former president of CBS Sports who now runs his own sports television consulting company, told Reuters.

“He’s going to be getting a tremendous amount of money from Fox and I think he’s going to feel the pressure of entertaining people, and up to now Tom’s method of entertaining people was to play quarterback, show how good he is.”

The terms of Brady’s deal with Fox Sports were never disclosed but media reports said the former quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots agreed to a 10-year contract worth $375 million.

Fox will be broadcasting the February 12 Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs but the network did not immediately reply when asked by Reuters whether Brady would be part of the lineup.

In pictures: NFL legend Tom Brady


Pilson suggests it would be better for Brady if his analyst debut did not come at the Super Bowl as that would expose him right away during the most-watched NFL game of the year.

There have been no shortage of players who went on to become football analysts after their NFL careers, including Hall of Fame members Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Shannon Sharpe.

Rob Ninkovich, who won two Super Bowl titles with Brady in New England and now works as an NFL analyst for ESPN, told Reuters a job talking football on television can help ease some of the hardest parts of retirement.

“Michael Jordan could go play a pickup game of three-on-three somewhere and still, you know, still shoot a basket and get his feel of playing basketball,” said Ninkovich. “Football players, unfortunately, you hang it up and you’ll never ever put on a helmet, shoulder pads.

“It’s trying to fill that void with other activities, maybe a business or, you know, entrepreneurship or even television, still talking about football and being involved in football – but you’re not taking the beating.”

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Sports

Donna Kelce becomes first mother to have two sons play against each other in the Super Bowl

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CNN
 — 

Seeing your children succeed is what every parent wants. But for Donna Kelce, the success of both her sons will provide a conflict of interest.

Donna’s two sons – Jason and Travis – are stars in the NFL, both stalwarts for their respective Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, and on Sunday, the whole Kelce family had a day to remember as the Eagles and the Chiefs both booked their tickets to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona where they will face off against each other for the Lombardi Trophy.

When they do, Donna will officially become the first mother to have two sons play against each other in the Super Bowl, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

She commemorated her sons reaching the Super Bowl by tweeting: “#HeightsHighandUCBearcatSuperBowl” – a reference to both sons attending Cleveland Heights High School and the University of Cincinnati.

Although they won’t actually take the field at the same time as they both play on offense – Jason is an All-Pro center and Travis is an All-Pro tight end – the game will likely prove difficult to watch for Donna as each of her sons will look to claim their second career Super Bowl.

Both played vital parts in their teams reaching the 2022 season finale: Jason a rock for the Eagles in their dominant victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship and Travis finishing with seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship.

Unfortunately for Donna, unlike she’s done in the past, she wasn’t able to watch both of her sons in action in their conference championship matches due to the timings of Sunday’s games.

In last year’s postseason, Donna was able to hop quickly from Tampa to Kansas City to watch both the Eagles and the Chiefs play in their Wild Card matchups on the same day.

According to Donna, she was watching Jason’s game in person in Philadelphia before watching Travis’ game in the Lincoln Financial Field stadium.

“It’s your hopes and dreams coming true, but it’s your worst fears,” Donna told PJ Ziegler of FOX 8. “Somebody is going to go home a loser, and neither one of them lose very well.”



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Sports

Kansas City Chiefs to face Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII

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CNN
 — 

The Kansas City Chiefs are advancing to Super Bowl LVII following a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

After suffering a high ankle sprain last week in the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Patrick Mahomes led the team to a victory in a back-and-forth game.

Kansas City got out to a 6-0 lead after two field goals and before halftime, Mahomes found his favorite target – tight end Travis Kelce for a touchdown to take a 13-3 lead. Kelce was listed as questionable to play coming into the game due to a back injury.

Right before halftime, the Bengals drove down the field and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 13-6.

On the Bengals’ first offensive possession of the second half, quarterback Joe Burrow found wide receiver Tee Higgins for a 27-yard touchdown to tie up the game at 13. However, a clearly hobbled Mahomes and the Chiefs responded with a laser touchdown throw to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to take the lead right back.

The Chiefs defensive unit shut down the high-powered Bengals offense until the first play of the fourth quarter.

On fourth down, Burrow heaved the ball down the field and found Ja’Marr Chase for a 35-yard strike to move Cincinnati deep into Kansas City territory. Two plays later, the Bengals scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Samaje Perine to tie the game yet again.

The Chiefs sacked Burrow on third down to give them the ball back with less than a minute left and the score tied at 20. Chiefs returner Skyy Moore returned the Bengals punt 29 yards to set the offense up with good field position. On third down, Mahomes scrambled and as he went out of bounds, Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai pushed him and was called for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty which put the Chiefs in field goal range.

Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker knocked down the 45-yard field goal to send the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.

The finale on February 12 will mark the first time in history that both teams contesting the Super Bowl will start Black quarterbacks.

Mahomes, who became the third Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl in 2020, is aiming to become the first Black quarterback in history to win multiple Super Bowls, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts could become the fourth Black quarterback to win the Lombardi Trophy.

Earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-7, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, to advance to championship game for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

The Eagles scored on their first possession and didn’t look back in the rout of the 49ers.

The 49ers were momentarily left without rookie starting quarterback Brock Purdy after he suffered a right elbow injury in the first quarter, on a hit by Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick that forced a fumble. Josh Johnson, who is the fourth string quarterback for San Francisco, filled in for Purdy until the third quarter before being ruled out of the game with a concussion.

Playing on the injured elbow, Purdy re-entered the game but the 49ers offense struggled to tally any points.

Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Hurts and the Philadelphia run-game, ran all over the 49ers defense, notching 148 rushing yards and scoring all four touchdowns on the ground. With his rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, Hurts (15) passed Cameron Newton (14) for most rushing touchdown’s in a single season by a QB in NFL history, including playoffs, according to NFL Research.



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Sports

NFL Playoffs: Philadelphia Eagles heading to Super Bowl with dominant victory over San Francisco 49ers

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CNN
 — 

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-7, on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, to advance to Super Bowl LVII.

The Eagles scored on their first possession and didn’t look back in the rout of the 49ers.

The 49ers were momentarily left without rookie starting quarterback Brock Purdy after he suffered a right elbow injury in the first quarter, on a hit by Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick that forced a fumble. Josh Johnson, who is the fourth string quarterback for San Francisco, filled in for Purdy until the third quarter before being ruled out of the game with a concussion.

Playing on the injured elbow, Purdy re-entered the game but the 49ers offense struggled to tally any points.

Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia run-game, ran all over the 49ers defense, notching 148 rushing yards and scoring all four touchdowns on the ground. With his rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, Hurts (15) passed Cameron Newton (14) for most rushing touchdown’s in a single season by a QB in NFL history, including playoffs, according to NFL Research.

The Eagles, who advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since winning it in the 2017-18 season, will face the winner of the AFC Championship between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs later Sunday.

Super Bowl LVII will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 12.

In the AFC, it’s the Bengals and Chiefs for the second straight season. Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes will look for revenge after last year’s crushing defeat at Arrowhead Stadium. Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow will look to replicate last year’s end result for his fourth straight win over Kansas City.

The Chiefs ended the regular season as the AFC’s No. 1 seed. They earned a week of rest in the Wild Card stage, took care of the Jaguars in the Divisional round, and are now exactly where they want to be.

The only problem is that their star quarterback isn’t 100% healthy.

Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in the Divisional round. There’s no doubt that he will persevere through the pain, but any issues with his mobility will impact his playmaking abilities.

Mahomes will have to get creative with how he moves the ball up the field. The pressure is also on the offensive linemen to keep Mahomes protected. If he’s left exposed, there’s increased risk of further injury.

While the Bengals are the away team and the lower seed, it would be incorrect to consider them the underdogs.

In the Divisional round, they upset the Bills and made it look easy. If that game is any indicator of how things will go this weekend, the Chiefs should be ready for a battle.

It’s also worth noting that history favors the Bengals. Burrow is 3-0 against Mahomes. And in all three games, Cincinnati was either tied or behind to start the fourth quarter.

Even if the Chiefs get ahead early, the Bengals have proven that they are not to be counted out until the final whistle. To top it all off, Burrow is an even better quarterback than the last time these two met in an AFC title game. His numbers have improved across the board, and he’s gained more experience playing at a high-level.

Ultimately, the Chiefs are an elite team with an MVP-caliber quarterback, injured or not. The Bengals are a young, talented team with history on their side. Only time will tell which team has what it takes to get to the next stage.



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Sports

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elena Rybakina to win thrilling women’s Australian Open final

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CNN
 — 

Belarusian-born Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina in three sets to win a thrilling women’s Australian Open final Saturday, becoming the first player competing under a neutral flag to secure a grand slam.

Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, tournament organizer Tennis Australia required Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutrals.

Outplayed in the opening set, Sabalenka came from behind to overpower the reigning Wimbledon champion 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a remarkable turnaround in Melbourne.

Breaking Rybakina’s serve in the seventh game of a tense third set proved to be the crucial breakthrough for the fifth seed, whose venomous serve and intense groundstrokes ultimately paved the way for her success.

A nervous start from Sabalenka – she made five double faults and won only four points on the second serve in the first set – made it seem as if it would be a routine second grand slam for Rybakina as she secured the first set in 34 minutes.

But Sabalenka found accuracy as well as power in the second and third sets, with Rybakina faltering at crucial stages. The Russian-born Kazakh, who is also a big hitter, saw off three championship points but sent a forehand long on the fourth. Sabalenka fell to the ground, reduced to tears on wining her maiden major.

She celebrated by climbing to the players’ box where her coach, Anton Dubrov, could be seen sobbing into a towel.

“I’m still shaking and super nervous,” she told the spectators in her on-court speech before the presentation.

On receiving the trophy from Billie Jean King, Sabalenka thanked the American great for her pioneering work for the women’s game, and went on to thank her team, whom she described as the “craziest on tour.”

“We’ve been through a lot of downs last year,” she said. “We worked so hard, you guys deserve this trophy, it’s more about you than about me. Thank you so much for everything you do for me. I love you.”

Minsk-born Sabalenka was competing in her first grand slam final, having previously lost three major semifinals. Serving first, she opened the match with a double fault as nerves clearly played a part on an occasion such as this. She later admitted that she tactically didn’t “play my best” in the first set.

In the second set she targeted the Rybakina forehand and broke early for a 3-1 lead. When Rybakina threatened to break back immediately, as she had done in the first set, Sabalenka held firm, overcoming another double fault to further extend her lead at 4-1 before going on to clinch the set with an ace.

After an impressive second set from Sabalenka, the match entered a tense third set decider. Initially the pair went toe-to-toe, both having the bravery to go for their shots, to maintain the power, but it was Sabalenka who eventually broke through.

“I need a few more days to realize what happened,” Sabalenka told Eurosport.

“I’m just super happy and proud. There’s so many things in my head. I’m not on this planet right now. It’s kind of relief, I’ve been in the top 10 but I didn’t have a grand slam trophy yet and it’s been really tough to get it, every slam was super emotional.

“It’s relief, it’s a joy, I’m just proud of myself, of everyone.”

Asked how she would celebrate, Sabalenka said, laughing: “Probably eating everything that I couldn’t this week.”

More to follow.

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Sports

Jessie Lemonier: Former Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker dies aged 25

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CNN
 — 

Former Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Jessie Lemonier died on Thursday aged 25, according to a statement from the Lions.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier,” the team said on Twitter.

“Jessie was a model team mate and wonderful young man who is gone far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

The Chargers also paid tribute to Lemonier, saying he was “gone too soon.”

“Our hearts are with Jessie’s family, friends and loved ones,” the team wrote on Twitter.

The Lions did not provide details on the cause of death.

Born in Hialeah, Florida, Lemonier had played college football at Liberty University before entering the 2020 NFL draft. He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent shortly afterwards.

After being waived, Lemonier was signed to the team’s practice squad before being elevated to its active roster weeks later.

During his time with Los Angeles, he played in six games, making two tackles before being waived.

He spent the 2021 season with the Lions, playing in seven games – starting two – finishing with 15 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Last summer, he had been on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, recording a sack in a preseason game, before being released.

Lemonier had been drafted by the XFL’s Arlington Renegades in November last year but earlier this month, Lemonier signed with the Houston Gamblers in the United States Football League before being traded to the Birmingham Stallions.

His agent, Drew Smith, told ESPN that Lemonier had been expecting a child with his girlfriend.



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World

Novak Djokovic’s father poses with fan wearing pro-Russia ‘Z’ symbol at the Australian Open

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CNN
 — 

The Australian Open told CNN it has “briefed and reminded” players and their entourages about the tournament’s “policy regarding flags and symbols” on Thursday after video emerged on Wednesday of Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, pictured at a demonstration with fans holding Russian flags, voicing his support for Russia.

In a video posted on YouTube by a known Vladimir Putin supporter, the Serbian player’s father can be seen posing with a fan outside Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. The man is wearing the “Z” symbol on his shirt, while holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it. “Long live the Russia,” he says.

The “Z” symbol is viewed as a sign of support for Russia, including its invasion of Ukraine. The symbol has been seen on Russian equipment and clothing in Ukraine.

“Players and their teams have been briefed and reminded of the event policy regarding flags and symbols and to avoid any situation that has the potential to disrupt,” an Australian Open spokesperson told CNN Thursday.

“We continue to work closely with event security and law enforcement agencies.”

The Australian Open spokesperson went on to say “a small group of people displayed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened security guards following a match on Wednesday night and were evicted. One patron is now assisting police with unrelated matters.”

In a statement Friday that addressed criticism of his actions but stopped short of an apology, Srdjan Djokovic said he was in Melbourne “to support my son only,” and “had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption.”

“I was outside with Novak’s fans as I have done after all of my son’s matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this,” he said.

“My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace.”

He added that he would watch his son’s semifinal match against US star Tommy Paul from home on Friday “so there is no disruption … for my son or for the other player.”

Novak Djokovic will not be commenting on the situation, his management told CNN.

Earlier Friday, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia had urged the player to state his position on the war, saying the incident with his father had amounted to a “provocation” and “shines a negative light on Novak himself as he prepares for his semi-final.”

“I think for him to dispel the speculation it’s important to make a very strong statement about where he stands on this war, and I would like to see an apology from Novak Djokovic,” Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko told CNN.

“Of course, the son cannot be responsible for the sins of his father, but maybe he has the same opinion as his father. I think the world should know where he stands.”

Tennis Australia has confirmed that four people were ejected from the tournament on Wednesday for displaying pro-war imagery.

According to the Australian Open rules Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from the event.

Tennis Australia has a “neutral flag” policy and has re-emphasized it policy amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Entertainment

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Stapleton and Babyface to perform in 2023 Super Bowl pre-show

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CNN
 — 

The full entertainment lineup for the 2023 Super Bowl has arrived.

In addition to Rihanna’s highly anticipated halftime show performance, a number of additional Hollywood heavyweights are joining the major sporting event as pre-show performers.

The NFL announced on Tuesday that Emmy-winning actor Sheryl Lee Ralph will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in the pre-show. The “Abbott Elementary” star notably sang on stage while accepting her Emmy award in 2022.

Joining Ralph in the pre-show festivities is Grammy-winning country music artist Chris Stapleton, who has been tapped to sing the National Anthem. R&B crooner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will also perform, with a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

Each performer will have talent accompanying them to provide American Sign Language (ASL) on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), according to a release from the NFL.

Oscar winner Troy Kotsur will sign the national anthem alongside Stapleton. Kotsur won a supporting actor Academy Award in 2022 for his work in “CODA,” becoming the second Deaf person ever to win an acting Oscar after Marlee Matlin.

In case you need any more Super Bowl LVII hype before the February 12 game, here’s our gentle reminder that Rihanna released a teaser on her Instagram to tide you over until then.



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