According to analyses of Super Bowl broadcasts, the 1993 Super Bowl (XXVII) appears to be the only time a full, live, on-stage ASL performance was shown. That year, Marlee Matlin signed the national anthem alongside Garth Brooks for a national audience. 

Since then, Deaf and Hard of Hearing viewers have not been able to watch any of the full ASL performances on the main Super Bowl broadcast.  To see them, they must search for separate links or alternate feeds, which is a barrier for those without reliable internet access.

Meanwhile, the main broadcast only shows brief clips of the ASL performers. The talent and artistry of these performers deserve to be in the spotlight.

We are asking that from now on the Super Bowl broadcast: 

• Include ASL performers on the main broadcast, ideally positioned on stage with artists (similar to Marlee Matlin and Garth Brooks in 1993) or clearly visible in a picture-in-picture (PIP) format.
• Ensure the ASL performers are unobstructed by crowds or scrolling news tickers and remain on screen for the duration of the performance.
• Provide 100% accurate, unobscured captions throughout. During the 2026 Super Bowl, some captions were missing or incorrect during the game and commercials.
• Include accurate audio description for DeafBlind viewers.

As Warren “Wawa” Snipe, a Super Bowl ASL performer in 2021, said: “The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community needs access to these iconic songs just like everyone else. To those who are hearing, try watching television with the sound and captions off, and you’ll experience inaccessibility. Why wouldn’t you want to make everything accessible to everyone, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing people?”

The 2025 Super Bowl (LIX) was the most-watched U.S. television broadcast of all time, averaging an estimated 127.7 million viewers across television and digital platforms—up over 3% from the previous year’s record. An event of this scale should be fully accessible to everyone. 

How you can support this petition:
✔ Add your signature
✔ Share a short video in ASL explaining why this issue matters to you (scroll to “Add Video” on the petition page to upload)

Thank you for helping make media access more equitable for everyone.