NFL and Arizona State University to Celebrate Black History Month with NFL 360 The Indelible Legacy of Jimmy Raye Private Screening Super Bowl Week

The National Football League is celebrating this Black History Month with a private screening of NFL 360 The Indelible Legacy of Jimmy Raye in partnership with Arizona State University's The Sidney Poitier New American Film School.

PHOENIX, Feb. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The National Football League is celebrating this Black History Month with a private screening of The Indelible Legacy of Jimmy Raye, a unique episode of the Emmy Award-winning series 'NFL 360' that explores how one man's story broke color barriers and changed football forever.

"Jimmy Raye was an exceptional athlete, but he was also a trailblazer," said Angela Ellis, VP of Entertainment & Initiatives at NFL Media. "He became the first Black starting quarterback from the South to win a national championship, forging a path for Black players and coaches after him."

NFL 360 Co-Creator Dallas Hitchcock said, "The Jimmy Raye Project explores Jimmy's story?not just because it's about sports?but because it's about courage, determination, and leadership. This story is bigger than football."

The event is in partnership with Arizona State University, taking place during Super Bowl LVII week on Wednesday, February 8th at the MIX Center, home of The Sidney Poitier New American Film School in Mesa, Arizona.

Prior to the screening, the NFL Media will bring its film and media expertise to Arizona State University, offering an "NFL 360 Masterclass" for film students. NFL 360 producers will give an up-close look into the series' Emmy-winning storytelling and cinematographic techniques, and provide insight into the world of sports, media, and entertainment.

ASU's Sidney Poitier New American Film School empowers passionate film and media artists with the technical skills and diverse experience that will allow them to change the world with new visions, new stories, and new voices, inspiring the next generation of diverse filmmakers and storytellers.

"We are honored to host this important screening and conversation," said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, founding director of The Sidney Poitier New American Film School. "The Jimmy Raye Project is a powerful example of the impact that one person's story can have on those who follow in his footsteps. The Poitier Film School fosters spaces that help empower our students so they can feel confident enough to tell their stories."

This private event will include an intimate fireside conversation moderated by NFL Network's Steve Wyche and featuring Jimmy Raye himself, Super Bowl Champion and NFL 360 correspondent Emmanuel Sanders, ASU Athletic Director, University Vice President Ray Anderson, and NFL 360 producer Osahon Tongo.

The NFL continues its commitment to elevate and partner with Black businesses, which is illustrated through the appointment of the experiential agency, The Culture Equity, to produce this NFL event and suppliers throughout.

The evening reception will showcase beverages from Black-owned brands such as Uncle Nearest, Tequila with Friends, GO3 Vodka, Common Ground Gin, Cajun Fire Brewery, Blk and Bold Coffee, Duey Juice Cocktail, and sounds will be curated by the official DJ of the Arizona Diamondbacks, DJ Rokkwilder.

The NFL has actively worked to involve Black businesses in its events so they can benefit from the Super Bowl opportunities happening in Phoenix this year. The NFL recognizes the contributions of African Americans and celebrates Black History Month not only in February but every day.

NFL 360 The Jimmy Raye Project airs on Tuesday, February 7th at 8:00 PM EST on NFL Network.

For additional information regarding the event please visit http://www.rsvpnfl.com.

###

ABOUT NFL 360
NFL 360 is NFL Network's news anthology show of record and airs throughout the season, providing NFL players the opportunity to shine a light on the people, places and moments that are important to them through in-depth documentary storytelling. NFL 360 won four 2022 Sports Emmy Awards in the categories of Outstanding Short Documentary (Mark Pattison: Searching for the Summit), Outstanding Editing ? Short Form (Ode to South Central), Outstanding Long Feature (Through the Ashes: The Story of Black Wall Street) and The Dick Schaap Outstanding Writing Award ? Short Form (Ode to South Central).

ABOUT NFL MEDIA
NFL Media is comprised of NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NFL Films, NFL.com, the NFL app, NFL+ and streaming service, the NFL Channel. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, fans turn to NFL Network to receive information and insight straight from the field, team headquarters, league offices and everywhere the NFL is making news. Launched in 2003, NFL Network gives fans unprecedented year-round inside access to all NFL events, including the Super Bowl, Playoffs, regular season, preseason, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, NFL Draft, NFL Scouting Combine, Senior Bowl, league meetings, minicamps and training camps. For fans on the go, all NFL Network programming can be streamed live through the NFL app and NFL Network app on smartphones, tablets, PCs and connected TV devices (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and Xbox One). Access is available for NFL Network subscribers of participating TV providers. For more information, go to NFL.com/nflnetwork.

ABOUT THE SIDNEY POITIER NEW AMERICAN FILM SCHOOL
The Sidney Poitier New American Film School in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University is dedicated to training the next generation of cinematic storytellers, digital media artists and innovators of the imagination. We educate students on the journey a story takes from its inception through to the audience, and on all the varied platforms of distribution that we have today. Our goal is to ensure that our students are educated, energized and prepared for their chosen futures. The Poitier Film School's student body comprises over 800 students, for whom we are creating the most inclusive, affordable and impactful film program. Almost half of The Poitier Film School's students and roughly 30% of its faculty are minorities. The school operates across three cities, including a brand-new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Mesa, and at the ASU California Center in the newly renovated ASU Herald Examiner building in downtown Los Angeles.

Media Contact

Rebecca Coleman, The Culture Equity, 1 281-900-5494, [email protected]

SOURCE The National Football League