CA's Amanda Gorman To Become The Super Bowl's First Poet

CALIFORNIA — California's Amanda Gorman gained national acclaim last week as the youngest inaugural poet in history. Next, she will become the first poet to perform during a Super Bowl.

Gorman, a Los Angeles native, was commissioned to compose and recite an original poem for Super Bowl LV. The poem will recognize three honorary captains chosen by the NFL to participate in an on-field coin toss ceremony.

The captains — Trimain Davis, a teacher from Los Angeles; Suzie Dorner, a nurse from Tampa and James Martin, a Marine Corps veteran from Pittsburgh — were chosen to represent thousands of essential workers and first responders in the nation amid the pandemic.

"We are honored to recognize these three individuals who represent the best in all of us," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a Wednesday statement. "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."

Davis, also a Californian, is a retention coordinator for the VIP Scholars program at UCLA.

"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," the NFL said in a statement. "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."

Gorman, 22, became a luminary fixture almost overnight after reading her original "The Hill We Climb," at Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20. The poet laureate said the work was inspired by the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

"It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it's the past we step into and how we repair it," Gorman read to audiences during the inauguration. "We've seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it."

The burgeoning poet enthralled Americans watching not just for the powerful imagery of her words but also for her aesthetic and vibrant attire at the inauguration. Gorman signed with IMG Models this week, one of the world's biggest modeling giants, according to multiple reports.

She will join H.E.R., The Weeknd and Jazmine Sullivan in the Super Bowl's lineup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7.