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NFL Players Prepare to Make a Joyful Noise for This Year's 'Super Bowl Gospel Celebration'

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Super Bowl fans eagerly anticipating this weekend's Super Bowl matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots will also be getting an added treat. The city of Atlanta is hosting the 20th Super Bowl Gospel Celebration on Sunday.

The annual event will showcase a choir consisting of about 60 NFL players – both retired and current – and comes with a different type of camaraderie, one bringing together the love of gospel music and professional football.

According to The Associated Press, retired Dallas Cowboys safety Dextor Clinkscale will have another opportunity to experience the game when the Super Bowl Gospel Choir convenes to perform in the city hosting the league's main event.

On Wednesday evening, Clinkscale said during the rehearsal at Atlanta Symphony Hall that he felt his spirit being rekindled in the same way it does each year.

"It is part of the electricity and ... the power of it," he said. "It moves through everything, and I think that's a big reason why so many of the guys come. You see some guys that you didn't even realize were on a roster, but the Spirit of the Lord brings us together, and it just happens."

Myron Butler is responsible for directing the choir and has announced that anyone with NFL experience is welcome to participate. "Just to have played in the NFL" is all the qualification a player needs "and I do the rest," he said.

The choir will perform "I'll Make It," led by gospel artist Hezekiah Walker, and "Jesus Can Work It Out," written by Dr. Charles Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer.

"You want something that's high energy," Butler said. "You want something that displays their ability and you want something they can have fun with. I try to find music to accomplish those goals."

The gospel celebration will be hosted by comedian Rickey Smiley and will feature several award-winning artists, including Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs, The Winans, and the Super Bowl NFL Gospel Players Choir.

In addition, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will honor Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller with the "Faith in Action" award.

The one-hour special will air on BET Networks on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 8:00 pm ET/PT. For more information about the event visit the Super Bowl Gospel website.

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