NEW ORLEANS — For 16 years, the NFL Players Choir has brought soul and spirit to Super Bowl Weekend. This unique choir made its debut in 2008 during the 9th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Phoenix, Arizona. It started with over 40 active and former NFL players, all under the guidance of Grammy Award-winning artist Donnie McClurkin. Since then, the choir has become a beloved part of the Super Bowl festivities. They’ve wowed audiences at major events like the 2024 NFL Honors telecast on CBS, the CBS Presents Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary Special, and various NFLPA events.
The Players Choir was founded by Melanie Few, who is also the founder and executive producer of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. The choir was born from a group of Christian NFL players who wanted to share their faith through music. This unique group includes Super Bowl Champions, Pro Bowlers, NFL Men of the Year, and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. Their performances have gained popularity across the nation. The Players Choir has sung at various charitable events, supporting organizations like the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the Children’s Hospital of Detroit, the Dak Prescott Foundation, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, and Jerome Bettis’ The Bus Stops Here Foundation. For NFL fans who share a love for football and faith, the Players Choir brings an inspiring mix of both worlds.
The Players Choir made waves on “America’s Got Talent” with their renditions of classics like “Lean on Me” and “Can’t Stop The Feeling.” Their performances earned them a spot in the semi-finals and high praise from judge Simon Cowell.
This iconic all-NFL choir took the stage on Sunday, July 7, at the 30th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival of Culture, thanks to a sponsorship by Febreze.
Febreze has partnered with the Players Choir to create an unforgettable performance at the CBS Presents The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary Special. The event featured a collaboration with HBCU alumni designer Rachel Motley, who crafted stylish Febreze-branded cardigans to keep the choir looking “Fresh as Febreze” during their appearances. The choir shared the stage with gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and the dynamic Southern University Human Jukebox drumline, opening the show with a high-energy performance. By teaming up with talented artists and designers, Febreze continues to make a memorable impact on both the sports and music communities.
The choir wowed a record crowd of 230,000 at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. Together with the Detroit Youth Choir, they delivered an unforgettable performance that left the audience in awe. This event marked the third and final stop of their campaign, concluding with a show-stopping performance at the ESSENCE Festival.
“Our collaboration with Febreze has been incredible, culminating at the premier cultural celebration for African American women—the ESSENCE Festival of Culture,” said Players Choir member Bryan Scott, a Walter Payton Man of the Year and former lineman with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. “It’s been immensely fulfilling to not only perform on large platforms during the ‘Fresh As Febreze’ tour but also to invest time in charitable causes along the way like the Jerome Bettis ‘Get on the Bus’ Foundation and Detroit Children’s Hospital. We couldn’t be more excited to showcase our talent and passion for music, as well as celebrate this dynamic partnership in the vibrant city of New Orleans, which I proudly called home during my time with the Saints.”
In addition to their ESSENCE Main Stage Performance at the New Orleans Convention Hall, festival-goers also had the opportunity to meet and greet the Players Choir at the Febreze booth in the Convention Center at the BeautyCon Experience on both Saturday, July 6, and Sunday, July 7.
The Players Choir also made additional appearances throughout the ESSENCE Festival weekend, taking the stage at the National Urban League-sponsored event on Saturday, July 6, the 5th Annual Urban Legends “Women in Harmony” Awards Luncheon at New Orleans’ Ritz Carlton Hotel.
From the White House to the House of Blues, the Players Choir has been winning hearts with their powerful performances. Combining soulful melodies with a commitment to giving back, this group of NFL players is dedicated to excellence both on the field and on stage. Whether you’re a devoted NFL fan, a lover of Gospel music, or someone who simply appreciates great talent, the Players Choir is sure to inspire you.For more information on theNFL Players Choir, visit www.playerschoir.com or follow the choir on social media @PlayersChoir.
Dawn Paul, also known as The Dr. Dawn®, is an award-winning media personality, public speaker, certified life coach, author, and entrepreneur. She has extensive experience in writing, reporting, and editing for the Black press. Dawn is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and has received the Texas Southern University Bless the Mic honor and the President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award. Follow her on social media at @TheDrDawn.
