Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman delivered a poem in front of Super Bowl LV honoring three ‘community heroes’ selected by the NFL to serve as honorary captains at the championship game.
Her poem paid tribute to educator Trimaine Davis, nursing manager Suzie Dorner and Marine Corps veteran James Martin.
Read a transcript of her comments below:
Today we honor our three captains
For their actions and impact in
A time of uncertainty and distress.
They took the lead,
Exceeds all expectations and limitations,
The upliftment of their communities and neighbors
As leaders, healers and educators.
James felt the wounds of warfare,
But this fighter still shares
His house with children in danger.
During Covid, he even held out a hand
Live football for family and fans.
Trimaine is an educator who works continuously,
To provide its community with hotspots,
Laptops and technology workshops,
His students therefore have all the tools
They must succeed in life and in school.
Suzie is the ICU Nursing Manager at a Tampa Hospital.
Her chronicles prove that hope in the tragedy is possible.
She lost her grandmothers to the pandemic,
And fight to save other lives in the ICU battle zone,
The definition of the heroes of the front line who risk their lives for our own.
Let us walk with these warriors,
Continue with these champions,
And carry out the call of our captains!
We celebrate them by performing
With courage and compassion,
By doing what is right and just.
For while we honor them today,
It is they who honor us every day.
“Chorus of the Captains”, a poem by @TheAmandaGorman to honor James Martin, Trimaine Davis, Suzie Dorner and community heroes everywhere. #SBLV pic.twitter.com/ya5dwnYWMD
– NFL (@NFL) 7 February 2021
What a moment. @TheAmandaGorman #SBLV pic.twitter.com/v8VM9uhPww
– NFL (@NFL) 7 February 2021