NFL Honors Super Bowl 50 : The Deacon Jones Art Exhibit

As an artist, certain moments define your career—moments where passion, creativity, and recognition converge in a way that feels almost surreal. For me, one such moment was having my artwork displayed at the Deacon Jones Art Exhibit during Super Bowl 50, as part of the prestigious NFL Honors event on February 6, 2016, at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. This opportunity was not only a personal milestone but also a chance to contribute to the impactful mission of the Deacon Jones Foundation’s art initiative, set against the electrifying backdrop of the NFL’s biggest weekend.

A Prestigious Stage: The NFL Honors Event

The NFL Honors is an annual awards show held the night before the Super Bowl, celebrating the best players, performances, and plays from the NFL season. On February 6, 2016, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco came alive with the energy of Super Bowl 50, hosted by the charismatic Conan O’Brien. The event’s purpose is twofold: to recognize outstanding achievements from the season and to announce the newest class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2015, the NFL Honors shone a spotlight on remarkable talents, with Cam Newton earning both the AP Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards, J.J. Watt securing AP Defensive Player of the Year, and other honors going to Todd Gurley (Offensive Rookie of the Year), Marcus Peters (Defensive Rookie of the Year), Eric Berry (Comeback Player of the Year), and Anquan Boldin (Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year). The evening also celebrated the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016, inducting legends like Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, and Tony Dungy, alongside awards for Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, and the Salute to Service Award.
This star-studded event, attended by football luminaries and passionate fans, heightened the excitement for Super Bowl 50, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. To have my artwork featured in such a high-profile setting, where the NFL’s greatest achievements were celebrated, was an honor that amplified the significance of the Deacon Jones Art Exhibit.

The Deacon Jones Foundation Art Initiative

The Deacon Jones Foundation, established in 1997 by Pro Football Hall of Famer Deacon Jones and his wife, Elizabeth, is dedicated to empowering inner-city youth through education, mentoring, and community service. Their NFL Artwork Program is a cornerstone of this mission, collaborating with renowned sports artists to produce limited-edition, officially licensed NFL art prints. Proceeds from these works fund scholarships and programs that help young people pursue their educational and artistic dreams.
For Super Bowl 50, the NFL invited the Deacon Jones Foundation to curate a spectacular exhibit, showcasing 98 works of art in the hall of the NFL Honors venue and an additional six pieces at the Legends Lounge in the host hotel in San Francisco. Being part of this initiative allowed me to align my passion for art with a cause that uplifts the next generation, honoring Deacon Jones’ legacy of leadership and impact both on and off the field.

The Deacon Jones Award: Honoring a Legend’s Legacy

Deacon Jones, a Hall of Fame defensive end, revolutionized football with his ferocious pass-rushing style and is credited with coining the term “sack.” In 2013, the NFL established the Deacon Jones Award to honor the league’s annual leader in sacks, ensuring his legacy endures. This award celebrates not just athletic prowess but the spirit of determination and excellence that Jones embodied. The art exhibit at Super Bowl 50 was a fitting tribute, merging the worlds of sport and creativity to support the Foundation’s mission and celebrate Jones’ contributions to the NFL.

Edgar J. Brown’s Sports Paintings: Capturing the Game’s Soul

As a lifelong New York Giants fan and one of the world’s leading sports artists, my work seeks to capture the power, technique, and grace of athletes in motion. My paintings freeze iconic moments—whether it’s the intensity of a tackle, the elegance of a touchdown catch, or the raw emotion of a game-changing play. For the Deacon Jones Art Exhibit, I showcased pieces like Triumph in Tampa, inspired by the Giants’ Super Bowl XXV victory, and The Interception, depicting a thrilling moment between the Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals. These works, crafted with vibrant colors and dynamic compositions, reflect my deep connection to football and its ability to inspire. My artistic journey began with a spiritual awakening in 1990 that reignited my love for painting. Since then, I’ve been commissioned by over 90 Giants players, including legends like Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, and Lawrence Taylor. My art, displayed in museums, sports facilities, and galleries nationwide, aims to honor the athletes and moments that define the NFL. The opportunity to showcase my art work at Super Bowl 50, alongside other talented artists, was a pinnacle of this journey, amplified by the chance to support the Deacon Jones Foundation’s mission.

A Moment to Remember

The Deacon Jones Art Exhibit at Super Bowl 50 was more than a display of paintings; it was a celebration of football’s cultural impact and a platform to empower young people. The 98 works in the NFL Honors hall and six additional pieces in the Legends Lounge told a collective story of the NFL’s history, its heroes, and its unforgettable moments. Surrounded by the excitement of the NFL Honors—where the likes of Cam Newton, J.J. Watt, and the 2016 Hall of Fame class were celebrated—my art became part of a larger narrative that connected sport, creativity, and community.
I’m deeply grateful to the Deacon Jones Foundation and the NFL for this extraordinary opportunity. It was a chance to share my passion for sports and art while contributing to a program that changes lives. As I reflect on that unforgettable night at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, I’m reminded of the power of art to inspire, connect, and make a difference—both on the canvas and in the communities it serves.
Explore more about the Deacon Jones Foundation and their NFL Artwork Program at www.deaconjones.com. View my collection of sports art at www.edgarbrown.com or through official NFL retailers like NFLshop.com and Fanatics.com.

Art Exhibit at NFL Honors for Super Bowl 50

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