Navajo Colin Denny provides sign language during Super Bowl LVII pregame festivities

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Colin Denny, a deaf Navajo man, performed a mix of American Sign Language and North American Indian Sign Language for Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. During the pregame show on Sunday, February 12, he provided an interpretation of “America the Beautiful,” performed by singer, songwriter, and producer Babyface.

Now 32 years old, Denny grew up in the Navajo Nation, and his hearing loss was noticed at age 5. He attended the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. He went on to earn an associate’s degree in fine art from Diné College and a bachelor’s degree in art and media design from Gallaudet University.

Credit to https://www.indigenousways.org/

He’s now a research assistant on the study of North American Indian Sign Language with the University of Arizona’s College of Education. He also works as an American Sign Language interpreter from his home in the Navajo Nation and is pursuing a master’s degree in sign language education from Gallaudet University.

During a press conference before Super Bowl LVII, Denny said he was honored to represent the Navajo, deaf, and hearing communities.

“All three of those communities I mentioned have three things in common: language, culture, and diversity. All these communities are still here and I’m so happy to be representing them,” Denny said through an interpreter at the press conference.

Denny also expressed hopes during the press conference that his appearance would help raise awareness of North American Indian Sign Language. He is working to preserve this language which is at risk of getting lost over time. “I just want to be able to inspire,” he was quoted in a press release.

You can see a recording of Denny’s performance below!

Congratulations to Colin Denny for his efforts to keep North American Indian Sign Language alive, and for his performance on the international stage of Super Bowl LVII!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.