PHOENIX — Navajo men combine American and North American Sign Language to perform “America the Beautiful” at the upcoming Super Bowl.
Colin Denny, Research Assistant University of Arizona School of Educationwill take the stage at State Farm Stadium on Sunday to perform patriotic songs during the pre-game show.
“I find that people who are alone can look around and realize there are other people just like them, inspiring and empowering them not to feel isolated or lonely,” Denny said. I want to be able to do that.” An American Sign Language interpreter.
Credit: Lyle Begay
In a news release, Denny said he hopes his Super Bowl appearance will raise awareness of North American Indian Sign Language, a language he supports through his work at UA Arizona.
32-year-old Denny, who grew up in Pinon, was discovered by his parents when he began to lose his hearing when he was five years old. He is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Sign Language Education and is working as his ASL mentor at his home in his Navajo Nation.
Denny isn’t the only Arizona man to perform at the next Super Bowl.
Academy Award-winning actor Troy Cosser, who grew up in the East Valley, performs the national anthem in American Sign Language.
Super Bowl LVII
Stay up to date with Super Bowl LVII on the 12News YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!
How big is Maricopa County?
Maricopa County is the fourth largest county in the United States with a population of 4,485,414 according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains approximately 63% of Arizona’s population and covers 9,224 square miles. This makes the county larger than her seven US states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the nation’s largest park systems is also located in Maricopa County. There are an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks in the county, including hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county seat is Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the fifth most populous city in the United States according to the Census.
