Fewer than three weeks after wowing the nation with an Inauguration Day recitation, poet Amanda Gorman will leverage her talent and newfound fame to turn the spotlight on some of the unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic on an arguably grander stage.
Gorman, who has been celebrated nationwide since her reading during President Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, will have another original poem broadcast before Super Bowl LV. Specifically, the poem will recognize Trimaine Davis, Suzie Dorner and James Martin – named honorary captains for the game – for “their tremendous impact during an unprecedented year,” the NFL announced Wednesday.
Three heroes – Trimaine Davis, Suzie Dorner and James Martin – who served as leaders in their respective communities during the global pandemic will be honored at Super Bowl LV as this year’s Honorary Coin Toss Captains – here’s how they found out about their selection. pic.twitter.com/NvjxcGz1PH
— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2021
According to The Washington Post, the NFL commissioned Gorman to write the poem before Biden’s inauguration, and she recorded its recitation Tuesday.
Gorman’s poem will air prior to the coin toss of the Feb. 7 showdown between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium, the NFL confirmed in a news release.
• Davis, a Los Angeles educator, helped bridge the digital divide experienced by his students by securing hot spots, laptops and tablets.
• Dormer, the COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse manager at Tampa General Hospital, lost two grandparents during the pandemic and will represent health care workers.
• Martin, a Marine Corps veteran, leveraged the Wounded Warrior Project and several other local initiatives to connect fellow veterans, high school athletes and local youth and their families amid COVID-19.
“We are honored to recognize these three individuals who represent the best in all of us,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated in the release. “During this incredibly challenging time in our lives, Trimaine, Suzie, and James have exemplified the essence of leadership, each in their own way. We are grateful for their commitment and proud to share their stories and recognize them during this special moment on Super Bowl Sunday.”
Gorman, named the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate in 2017 and the youngest poet in presidential inauguration history, recited her original “The Hill We Climb” during Biden’s swearing-in ceremony.
-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
