Access in Sports and P-X-P teamed up with the National Hockey League in search for a Deaf performer for the National Anthem at the Stanley Cup Final. They interviewed nine Deaf performers for the audition.
Professor John Jebian of FIU's Department of Modern Languages was selected and became the first deaf performer in history for the NHL Finals!
Access in Sports and P-X-P announced on Instagram the following:
"Incredibly proud of John Paul Jebian @jpjebian, who became the first Deaf person to perform the National Anthem in ASL (on ice) at the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers during Games 3 & 4 at Florida Panthers Arena.
John Paul is a Miami, Florida resident and has spent the past 30 years teaching ASL as well as relentlessly advocating for accessibility and inclusion for the Deaf community his entire life.
We have made it a mission here at P-X-P to recognize local Deaf talent and elevate the Deaf community with our platform. We are unbelievably humbled to see our vision come to fruition and to see John Paul shine on the ice."
Please view the video below for John Jebian's performance of the National Anthem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zgmn4cAVGE&feature=youtu.be