Super Bowl 2013: Sandy Hook choir, Jennifer Hudson perform "America the Beautiful"

A group of 26 students from the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut perform America the Beautiful with singer Jennifer Hudson during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Pregame Show at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. / Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS As 26 children in white polo shirts excitedly walked to center of the Superdome field and prepared to sing, a packed Super Bowl crowd revved up by a day of partying in the Big Easy fell silent.

The chorus from Sandy Hook Elementary School, nearly two months removed from a deadly shooting rampage, joined Jennifer Hudson, who donned a Monika Chiang leather bodysuit with a L'Wren Scott pencil skirt, to deliver a stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful" on Sunday that had some players on the sideline and countless fans in the stands on the verge of tears.

Judging by the responses on social media, the performance appeared destined to become one of the most poignant memories of the Super Bowl, regardless of what played out in the game.

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"Sandy hook elementary chorus singing America the beautiful and Alicia keys national anthem makes me proud to be American," model Kate Upton said on her Twitter page.

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Gerald Rokoff, standing near a portal in the Superdome's upper deck, turned and said, "Beyond beautiful," when the children finished singing.

Sandy Hook is the school in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six adults were killed by a gunman on Dec. 14.

An NFL spokesman said no one with the chorus was available for interviews, but a statement was delivered on behalf of the school.

"We have come to New Orleans to represent the Sandy Hook Family and the community of Newtown, Connecticut," the statement said. "Our wish is to demonstrate to America and the world that, `We are Sandy Hook and We Choose Love."'

The children wore green ribbons on their white shirts, which seemed to symbolize the innocence of youth, and stood in two rows of 13 on the NFL's red, white and blue shield logo for the performance. Many smiled excitedly as they sang the first verse. Then Hudson, wearing a black blouse and long, white skirt, fronted them for a second verse that showcased her sterling voice.

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh watched with his left arm around daughter, Alison, and his right hand over his heart.

Ravens nose tackle Terrence Cody could be seen on the stadium's video board tilting his head back, appearing to hold back tears.

Fans offered a rousing ovation at the finish, and the chorus then trotted to the 20-yard line and turned, with their hands on their hearts, to watch Alicia Keys sing the national anthem.

Caitlin Hamilton, a 22-year-old English teacher from Dodge City, Kansas, said on Twitter she thought the performance would, without a doubt, be the best part of the Super Bowl.

"It just shows that they're still persevering despite what's happened to them," Hamilton said. "It was a great way to lift up the people of Sandy Hook as well, and to let them know that the people of America support them."

Hamilton said that as a teacher, when she thinks about the shooting she thinks of herself in the same situation. She said Hudson did well leading the song, but the kids were the main event.

"I thought the kids were more inspirational that they could get up there and sing despite everything that had happened to them," she said.

During the season, NFL stars including Victor Cruz of the Giants and Chris Johnson of the Titans honored victims of the Sandy Hook rampage during games by writing the names of the victims' on their shoes.

[eDjuKatEd]

MY apologies to CBS! I stand by my every comment except admit I misidentified the broadcasting network! I am so sorry! CBS - Great job with Super Bowl 47!

[eDjuKatEd]

Our Country has been through a LOT...not just in the past 12 years, but forever. Eleven years ago we had to find a way to "go on"....We did, we have, and times remain very very tough. This choir at Super Bowl brought me not only to tears, but to my knees. We've had touching performances and commercials before, and this year was great....but THIS choir at THIS time was just so beyond precious. Gun bans are required - regulated to keep our 2nd Amendment intact, but REQUIRED. It's one thing to have risks from outside our Country, but to have mass murders IN our Country, by our people, by our own easily-available weapons of mass destruction, towards our most vulnerable....there is no excuse. If viewing this choir of young students from a small school who each most likely had intimate relations with the 26 who were massacred only a couple months ago doesn't touch every viewer of the sports game, then our Country has no hope. Allow some further regulations on guns - not to weaken our defenses or individual rights, but to strengthen our unity and PROTECT all of US! For our children's protection! Anyway, regardless on my desire for gun control (and mental health/health access), let's give it up to NBC for arranging this choir to be on the Super Bowl! THAT should be the news, not anything else - Beyonce, lights out, win, athleticism, who sang the Nat'l Anthem, the commercials...(all were GREAT - greater than ever - but I think the Choir is overlooked in the news right now). In 2002, we had to overcome the 9/11; but 2013 had to overcome Sandy Hook, the weather destruction, the on-going economy....all domestic. Let's start focusing on US in USA and stop the infighting that keeps US(A) from being truly UNITED. Thank you NBC and Sandy Hook Choir and Jennifer Hudson....this Super Bowl was made by the moments BEFORE kickoff - as well as after. Citizens, Unite!

[123-cbsnews]

I wonder whats up with just all white children, our parents moved to CT in 1972, no segregation, two brothers who where black in the entire elementary school, a couple more in high school, its strange CT has not changed with society.

[WhoSaysthat]

thats a pretty ignorant to say you're talking about a small town in newtown 20 minutes away in danbury where i live you'll see every race you could think of, Along with other great cities but obviously connecticut has the rich white section thats never going to change

[jennirobbins]

I agree. Hate fuels so many people. They can't feel any empathy or compassion. Ms. Hudson underwent her own tragedy by having her whole family wiped out by a loon with a gun and these beautiful babies who just sing regardless of the horrid nightmare that took place at their school, they all inspire us to do better. And to the hate filled crazies, go find the Nazi's or the Klan and write bs on their website. They deserve whack jobs like you.

[americanteenager]

Please honor the Newtown victims by signing our petition at www.teensagainstgunviolence.org

[CuriousServant]

It is so sweet to see children singing out... letting us know that love wins out.

[aintfakin]

gotta love it
the right wingers are still ignoring the kids.....and with arm dislocating reaches

[yankee_43]

Keys one of the worst

[FormerDemocratNowSane]

Iis Obama going to announce a 50 billion dollar rescue package because New Orleans cannot keep the lights on?!

[Nuschlerclark]

@FDNS
You are a troll. There is always some troll that has to take something special...children singing a song...and find a way to tell us how terribly racist you are by condemning Obama for nothing!

Obama won the popular vote AND the electoral college. You are a terrible human being to write such a repulsive comment!