Amanda Gorman, 22, of Los Angeles, California, United States delivered a poem before Super Bowl LV on February 7, 2021. In the poem, she honored U.S. Marine Corps veteran James Martin, educator Trimaine Davis and nurse manager Suzie Dorner.
Hand-picked by the National Football League, Martin, Davis and Dorner serve as honorary captains at the Super Bowl LV. Here is the transcript of Gorman’s poem paying tribute to the three community heroes:
Today, we honor our three captains
for their actions and impact in
a time of uncertainty and need.
They’ve taken the lead,
exceeding all expectations and limitations,
uplifting their communities and neighbors
as leaders, healers and educators.
James has felt the wounds of warfare
but this warrior still shares
his home with at-risk kids.
During COVID, he’s even lent a hand
live-streaming football for family and fans.
Trimaine is an educator who works nonstop,
providing his community with hotspots,
laptops and tech workshops,
so his students have all the tools
they need to succeed in life and in school.
Suzie is the ICU nurse manager at a Tampa Hospital.
Her chronicles prove that even in tragedy, hope is possible.
She lost her grandmothers to the pandemic
and fights to save other lives in the ICU battle zone,
defining the frontline heroes risking their lives for our own.
Let us walk with these warriors,
charge on with these champions
and carry forth the call of our captains!
We celebrate them by acting
with courage and compassion,
by doing what is right and just.
For while we honor them today,
it is they who every day honor us.
Categories: ball sports, North America, Sports, United States
