Tougaloo College student receives Super Bowl tickets
JANS – Ajani Crenshaw, a Tougaloo College political science major from Zion, Illinois, received the surprise of a lifetime when former Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen presented him with two tickets to Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Crenshaw was recognized during the Bears’ regular season finale at Soldier Field for his extraordinary community work with Everytown – the nation’s largest gun violence prevention organization – and Capitol Dreamers, a nonprofit he founded dedicated to preventing gun violence through education, advocacy, and community action.
As a first-generation college student at Tougaloo, an HBCU with a rich legacy of social justice advocacy, Crenshaw has demonstrated exceptional leadership in addressing one of America’s most pressing challenges. His work has included hosting firearm safety forums, leading voter engagement efforts, and collaborating with student leaders across the country.
“Whether I’m hosting a firearm safety forum, leading voter engagement efforts, or collaborating with fellow student leaders,” Crenshaw has said, “I approach every opportunity with purpose and a commitment to impact.”
The surprise presentation at Soldier Field came after Crenshaw watched pregame warmups from the sideline. Upon receiving the Super Bowl tickets, he celebrated by jumping and screaming for several minutes before telling ChicagoBears.com: “I don’t know how to react. I love this organization. It’s my hometown, Chicago. I love the Bears. I’m so excited. Let’s go, Chicago Bears!”
Cohen, who spent four seasons with the Bears (2017-2020) as a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl return specialist, was personally moved by Crenshaw’s work. Cohen’s younger brother, Dante, was paralyzed in a 2019 shooting and passed away in a 2022 car accident, making gun violence prevention deeply personal to the former NFL player.
“The things [Crenshaw] is doing in the community are things that deeply impacted my life as well, and the Bears letting me help make his day was just the most amazing thing,” Cohen said.
Vice President of the Division of Institutional Advancement Dr. Allilia Price added, “Ajani Crenshaw exemplifies the kind of transformative leadership that has defined Tougaloo College since our founding in 1869. His dedication to addressing gun violence through Capitol Dreamers demonstrates the power of education combined with purpose-driven action. We are incredibly proud to see one of our students recognized by the Chicago Bears for work that not only honors our legacy of advocacy, but actively shapes a safer future for communities across the nation”
Crenshaw’s recognition by the Chicago Bears highlights Tougaloo College’s continued commitment to developing leaders who drive positive change in their communities.
