PRG, 22 Degrees Collaborate on NFL Honors

	"Lighting is often a reactive sport," says Kusner.

The lighting for NFL Honors was led by 22 Degrees, with designer Jon Kusner shaping a cinematic environment that reflected the scale and prestige of the NFL's biggest awards.

Set against San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts and its historic gazebo, the lighting elevated the ceremony from arrival through the presentation of the league's top accolades, blending architectural presence with performance lighting. Host Jon Hamm guided the evening in a live broadcast spanning NBC, NFL Network, and Peacock. Programming by Kirk J. Miller and lighting direction by Tyler Ericson brought clarity and rhythm to the night.

For Kusner, the lighting approach began with pragmatism. "Lighting is often a reactive sport," he explains, noting that the design grew directly out of the stage architecture and scenic intent. Structural weight limits at the venue informed a more streamlined plot than in past years, shifting the challenge toward efficiency: achieving impact with fewer fixtures while preserving clarity for broadcast.

That balance led the team toward familiar, dependable workhorse fixtures, paired with selective use of newer technology where it meaningfully improved performance. Among the most notable additions were the Martin Professional VDO Sceptron XBs, which Kusner describes as a thoughtful evolution of an already proven product, taking something solid and making it better. He deployed these on the left and right entrance tunnels adjacent to the video screens.

Environmental lighting included the Roxx Neo Light. PRG is the first company to bring the fixture into its inventory, the company says. With performances rotating quickly through the venue, including back-to-back shows for Sting and The Killers, the system was built to support rapid transitions and collaboration with visiting lighting designers.