This year’s Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will pay tribute to Ray Lewis for his faith-filled determination to overcome trials and tribulations on and off the field, while recognizing him for his remarkable football career. “His accomplishments and triumphs have inspired football fans, teammates and colleagues – a true representation of what the essence of the convergence of faith and football is all about,” says Melanie Few-Harrison, Creator & Producer of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. As a big supporter of the event, Ray Lewis has attended many Super Bowl Gospel Celebrations and sang in the NFL Players Choir, so we are beyond thrilled to honor him in what is sure to be a memorable year.”

The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, currently in its 14th year, joins together NFL players, Grammy Award-winning artists, and special guests, on one stage to kick off Super Bowl Weekend. Emmy Award-winning co-host of ABC’s “The View,” Sherri Shepherd and seven-time Grammy Award-winning gospel musician, Kirk Franklin, will host the musical celebration. Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling artist and American Idol winner Fantasia will headline the show, which will include performances by top gospel and contemporary Christian artists Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton, and this year’s NFL “Players’ Choice” hip-hop Christian artist Lecrae.

The highlight of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the NFL Players Choir. Composed exclusively of current and former players, the choir has become one of the most anticipated performances during Super Bowl Weekend. Celebrating its six-year anniversary, the NFL Players Choir includes more than 40 members, including Hall Of Famers and Pro Bowlers. Several Christian NFL players who wanted to share their faith through their musical talents in song formed the Choir. The group offers fans an opportunity to see a very personal side of the players off the field, as they make joyful noise.

Ray Lewis has played with the Baltimore Ravens since the team’s inception, and for his entire 17-year career. This year, he has decided to hang up his jersey and retire after he plays in his last game against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, February 3, 2013.

TV Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of AlwaysAList.com, Jawn Murray joins Super Bowl Gospel Celebration as the official Social Media Ambassador. Murray will host a social media lounge for invited tastemakers, influencers and media professionals during the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration as part of Super Bowl XLVII weekend.

Murray is the latest addition to Super Bowl Gospel Celebration’s already all-star lineup of talent. Emmy Award-winning co-host of ABC’s “The View,” Sherri Shepherd and seven-time Grammy Award-winning gospel musician, Kirk Franklin were previously announced as the hosts of the show. Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will include performances by top gospel and contemporary Christian artists Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton, and this year’s NFL “Players’ Choice” hip-hop Christian artist Lecrae.

The Washington, DC-based media personality will also host an interactive Twitter chat for Super Bowl Gospel on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 9pm ET. The popular Pop Culture Expert—who appears weekly on CNN’s sister channel HLN discussing the hottest viral videos and online trends—will give away tickets and special prizes to online participants.

ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL GOSPEL CELEBRATION:
The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was launched in Miami in 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII weekend. In 2002, the event became the first, and remains the only concert sanctioned by the National Football League (NFL). The show has drawn crowds in the thousands and has demonstrated growth year-after-year, selling out venues in major Super Bowl host cities including Dallas, Tampa, Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston and Phoenix.

For details on Super Bowl Gospel Celebration’s Social Media Lounge and Twitter chat, email: JawnSBGospel@aol.com.

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Press Contacts For SuperBowl Gospel Celebration:
Danny Astoria | Simone Smalls PR, Inc.
danny@simonesmallspr.com | 917.388.3890

Simone Smalls | Simone Smalls PR, Inc.
simone@simonesmallspr.com | 917.388.3890

The journey to the Super Bowl can bring many challenges to the players. With so much on the line, players experience a pressure unlike playing in any other regular game they’ve ever played in. That being said, many of us seek refuge from the pressure by putting our faith in God.

As the Super Bowl draws closer, I also get enthused about the festivities that couple the game. Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the perfect outlet, allowing a celebration of the relationship between faith and football. Faith and football are so intertwined in our lives, and this concert is a great way to showcase to the world how the two work together.

It takes faith to believe in yourself and to follow God’s path for you. It’s that same faith that led many players to believe they could become successful athletes. Off the field, that faith helps us build strong, lasting relationships and families. Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is a fellowship for those who have a desire to celebrate the relationship of faith and football.

I had a chance to listen to gospel music a lot when I went to church in my childhood as a fan. I have continued to listen to gospel music throughout my career, especially before games as it would always tend to calm me down and release all my anxieties.  Listening to gospel music and the words it expressed, always gave me a sense of real life that there is something always bigger out here than the game of football and that I should never be afraid of going out on the field on game day and failing. Instead, every time I got out there I had an opportunity to be successful, do my best and do what I loved doing knowing God is always beside me.

How has church influenced your life?

I was raised in the church and my parents made sure that we were there every Sunday along with Bible Study which had me in church at least two times per week throughout my childhood. That pretty much made me out to be the man I am today.

What do you find most inspirational about Gospel music and church?

I find that gospel music and church gives me the inspiration that gives you the kind of energy and the type of feeling that I have not been able to get with any other type of music I listen to or event that I have attended. To be able to fellowship with others who have similar beliefs gives you this type of strength I have not been able to find with any other type of music and no where else but in Church.

Explain why it is important for faith and football to work together. Why is it that you personally believe God is important in your life and your career.

My faith is what has allowed me to be successful in my football career. The fact is that I was raised in the Church and the One word I have lived by is “Perseverance”. When I was going through certain struggles in my football career, I had to lean on God and know that regardless of the outcome or my performance on game day I was still a success and able to use my football platform to touch others. I also realized that I did not have to rely on my performance on the field only to make a difference for others, I am still able to do great things on and off the field.

Give specific examples of why you feel God is important to you and your career.

Well, He is the reason I am here. He has provided me with the ability to do what I love and has continued to protect me every time I stepped out on that field. I truly believe that I would not have had this level of success and been able to play fourteen years in the NFL , without any serious injuries, if it was not for the fact that God was watching over me. I truly believe that I am a child of God and know that God was there molding me. God put me in certain situations in my career that built my strength, character and humility which has allowed me to attain the success that I have been able to achieve in my career. Now, I really appreciate what I had to go through to get this far.

Here you can mention any hurdles you have overcome, and how God helped you through those hurdles.

My first three to four years in the NFL were not easy……….
My struggles in the beginning years, while I was trying to make my mark in my career were tough. Maybe Not being a Star, Not being a Player, not being able to be in the NFL? I really leaned on God and my faith and knew that I was here for a reason. I was in the NFL for a reason. I needed to understand that I need to be able to TRUST my abilities. I really went back to my roots, and said I would have never been in this position and given these opportunities if God did not have a plan for me. I knew I had to stop worrying so much and just go out there and play football. That was really when I started to trust myself and started playing to the best of my abilities. This was also around the time I went out and got my “Perseverance” tattoo on my arm.

Win Your Way into a Night of Inspiration!