​Presidential Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman Commissioned to Compose

an Original Piece about the Resiliency of the Honorary Game Captains

Three heroes who served as leaders in their respective communities during the global pandemic will be honored at Super Bowl LV on Sunday, Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium, NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL announced today.

The three Honorary Captains – Educator TRIMAINE DAVIS, Nurse Manager SUZIE DORNER and Veteran JAMES MARTIN – will participate in the official on-field Coin Toss ceremony. All three were selected because of their dedication and selfless commitment to helping others. These heroes are symbolic of the thousands of health-care professionals, educators, and veterans throughout our country who continue to care for, heal and support those in need during this pandemic. Together they embody our season-long message of ‘It Takes All of Us’.

Before the Honorary Captains are recognized on-field, Presidential Inaugural Poet AMANDA GORMAN will recite an original poem about these three individuals in recognition of their tremendous impact during an unprecedented year. The recitation of the poem will air nationally on CBS and be featured in-stadium.​

“We are honored to recognize these three individuals who represent the best in all of us,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “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.”

Below are more details about the three Super Bowl LV Honorary Captains:

TRIMAINE DAVIS: (Educator- Los Angeles, CA) Amidst the pandemic, Trimaine made it a priority to ensure both his students and members of their households had devices and internet access to help bridge the digital divide. Not only did Trimaine secure hotspots, laptops, and tablets for his students, but he hosted tech workshops for families to learn how to make use of the devices. Throughout his career, Trimaine has prioritized the academic success of Black students through his work with the CSU Northridge Black Male Initiative, San Diego State’s Student African American Brotherhood, Afrikan Student Union, and more.

Trimaine was surprised with his selection as an Honorary Captain by ANGELA LACHICA and NFL Legend DOUG BALDWIN of the Players Coalition – which can be seen here.

SUZIE DORNER: (Nurse Manager – Tampa, FL) Suzie is currently the COVID ICU Nurse Manager at Tampa General Hospital and has been serving the local Tampa community for more than eight years. In the face of tragedy, Suzie worked selflessly, as all nurses do, to prioritize others and work endless hours to assist many in their battles with COVID-19. Suzie lost two grandparents to the pandemic and represents the thousands of healthcare workers across the country and across the world that have risked their own lives for the sake of our own.

Suzie was surprised with the news of her selection as an Honorary Captain by Tampa Bay Buccaneers Legend and Co-Chairman of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee DERRICK BROOKS – which can be seen here.

JAMES MARTIN: (Marine Corps Veteran – Pittsburgh, PA) During the COVID-19 global pandemic, James’ contributions to his community are limitless. He has worked supporting veterans, high school athletes and local youth. James connected more than 1,800 fellow veterans and their families to one another virtually this past year through Wounded Warrior Project® and its livestreaming and video game events. This season he also volunteered to livestream every home football game for Aliquippa High School so family and fans could cheer on their favorite players from home. Lastly, James opened his home to needy kids in his neighborhood, offering them a comfortable home, while still attending to his own children, one of whom has special needs.

James was surprised with the news of his selection as an Honorary Captain by Pittsburgh Steelers Legend JEROME BETTIS – which can be seen here.

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Amanda Gorman is the youngest Presidential Inaugural Poet in U.S. history. She is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality and gender justice. Amanda’s activism and poetry have been featured on the Today Show, PBS Kids, and CBS This Morning, and in the New York Times, Vogue, Essence, and O magazine. In 2017, UrbanWord named her the first ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. After graduating from Harvard University, she now lives in her hometown of Los Angeles. The special edition of her inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb, will be published in Spring 2021. Her debut picture book, Change Sings, and first poetry collection, The Hill We Climb and Other Poems, will be published in the fall of 2021. Please visit theamandagorman.com.

COURTESY NFLmedia.com