SC State’s Marching 101, Bulldog alumnus/NFL star Javon Hargrave to be featured during BET's Super Bowl Soulful Celebration

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University will be prominently represented on a national stage during Super Bowl weekend on BET, with the University’s world-renowned Marching 101 and former Bulldog great Javon Hargrave both featured in a nationally televised event.

Hosted by former NFL MVP Cam Newton, the 27th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 7, will blend faith, football, music and testimony during Super Bowl week and is the NFL’s only sanctioned inspirational event.

This year’s celebration, a one-hour primetime special, carries the theme “Go Higher.” The telecast will begin at 8 p.m.

Hargrave, a proud SC State alumnus and former standout defensive lineman, will be recognized as the HBCU Player Spotlight honoree, highlighting his journey from Orangeburg to the NFL and underscoring the continued impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities on professional football. A former third-round draft pick, Hargrave has built a standout NFL career while remaining closely connected to his Bulldog roots.

Alongside Hargrave’s recognition, SC State’s Marching 101 will deliver a featured performance, showcasing the tradition, precision and cultural influence that have made the band one of the University’s most recognizable ambassadors nationwide.

The broadcast also includes performances by Pastor Mike Jr., Lalah Hathaway, LaRussell, Miles Minnick and Jamal Roberts, as well as appearances by the NFL Players Choir, while honoring leaders whose lives reflect faith, service and excellence.

The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration airs on BET during Super Bowl weekend, placing SC State’s legacy of excellence — through both its alumni and its students — squarely in the national spotlight.