Marlee Matlin ‘Absolutely Shocked’ That ASL Performances Weren’t Featured During Super Bowl

Rebecca Iannucci
·1 min read
4
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Actress Marlee Matlin has called out CBS for its Super Bowl pregame coverage, which featured virtually no airtime for the American Sign Language (ASL) performers.

“I am absolutely SHOCKED at @CBS for introducing the Deaf performers at today’s pregame #SuperBowl and then not showing even one second (or more) of their performance… as has been tradition for the last 30 years. WHY!?” Matlin wrote in an X post on Sunday night.

More from TVLine

The NFL had tapped CODA actor Daniel Durant to perform the national anthem in ASL, while actress/pageant contestant Anjel Piñero and choreographer Shaheem Sanchez respectively signed “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” But after Durant, Piñero and Sanchez were introduced to the crowd ahead of each vocal performance, they went entirely unseen during the actual songs.

CBS Sports did appear to make the ASL performances available via its website on Sunday; Matlin shared a link to the livestream ahead of the big game, but it’s no longer active.

CBS did not immediately respond to TVLine’s request for comment.

The Super Bowl 58 pregame kicked off with Andra Day’s performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by Post Malone on “America the Beautiful” and Reba McEntire on “The Star-Spangled Banner.” TVLine readers gave Day’s performance an average grade of “C,” while Malone earned a “B-” and McEntire scored an “A-.”

Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows
Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows

The 10 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time, Ranked

View List

Best of TVLine

Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter