Super Bowl ASL national anthem: Full video shows Warren Snipe's joy, energy
Snipe enthusiastically throws his whole body into interpreting The Star-Spangled Banner, as Grammy nominees Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church sing.
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Grammy nominees Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church sang the national anthem before Sunday's Super Bowl, but another anthem participant, American Sign Language interpreter Warren "Wawa" Snipe, grabbed just as much attention. A football fan himself, Snipe enthusiastically threw his whole body into interpreting The Star-Spangled Banner, smiling broadly and almost dancing along with the words. Snipe also interpreted singer H.E.R.'s performance of America the Beautiful before the anthem.
It’s 3:25am on Super Bowl Day can’t sleep cuz I’m glowin with good vibes. Don’t worry, I’m gonna shine during the night for ya. 🔥 #cantsleepcuzimexcited #SuperBowl #wawasworld #diphopwawa #wamilton #shosumluv
— WAWA (@diphopwawa) February 7, 2021
"It was always my dream to perform at the Super Bowl, and I would love to be able to perform the halftime show in ASL too," Snipe told CBS News before the game. He said he practiced by studying how this year's singers typically perform.
Snipe has a recurring role in the CW superhero show Black Lightning, and is himself a rapper and recording artist. He calls his musical genre "dip hop," meaning "hip hop through deaf eyes."
The CBS cameras focused mostly on the singers, with Snipe only occasionally making it on screen, which viewers noticed. Some viewers were disappointed to only see him in glimpses over the shoulders of the singers.
But fans thoroughly enjoyed what they did see of his heartfelt work.
"I want to wake up every day and be as excited to go to work as the ASL interpreter at the Super Bowl," one Twitter user wrote.
I want to wake up every day and be as excited to go to work as the ASL interpreter at the #SuperBowl
— theophila💛 (@imaGodg1rl) February 7, 2021
Genuinely obsessed with the ASL interpreter for the national anthem #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/E7cr2n2jJR
— Rachel Collins is ready for spring🌷 (@arocknrolldream) February 7, 2021
#SuperBowl is already over, guys.
— shandotsolo (@shandotsolo) February 7, 2021
the ASL interpreter won this one.
So 10 seconds into the Super Bowl and I already know the best part of it will have been the ASL interpreter#SuperBowl #SuperBowlLV
— RambleWriting (@WritingRamble) February 7, 2021
The ASL interpreter during the national anthem was better than the two singing it.... pic.twitter.com/hLpLLtMBpE
— Kristen Brzyski (@Purple4kb) February 7, 2021
And some noted that they really wanted to see more of Snipe.
"Dear CBS, having the sign language interpreter in a box on the screen during the singing for those at home also would make a lot of individuals happy," one person tweeted.
Dear @CBS, having the sign language interpreter in a box on the screen during the singing for those at home also would make a lot of individuals happy. 🙂 #SuperBowl #SuperBowlLV #ASL
— Jaye.✊🏾😷 (@Jaye723) February 7, 2021
The ASL interpreter's performance of the National Anthem should be included and visible to those watching at home.
— Barbara Tollison MAEd (@barbtheboss) February 7, 2021
i need a replay of america the beautiful and the national anthem that is only showing Wawa the ASL interpreter
— claire (@clairedelune108) February 7, 2021
The National Association of the Deaf posted full videos of Snipe's Super Bowl work to YouTube.