Amanda Gorman draws praise for Super Bowl poem

Poet Amanda Gorman drew widespread acclaim after delivering an original poem Sunday ahead of Super Bowl 55. 

The poem, titled “Chorus of the Captains,” celebrated three “community heroes” chosen by the NFL to serve as honorary captains at Sunday’s game, including educator Trimaine Davis, nurse manager Suzie Dorner and Marine Corps veteran James Martin.

“Today we honor our three captains. For their actions and impact in a time of uncertainty and need,” Gorman read on Sunday.

“They’ve taken the lead. Exceeding all expectations and limitations, uplifting their communities and neighbors. As leaders, healers and educators,” she continued.

What a moment. @TheAmandaGorman #SBLV pic.twitter.com/v8VM9uhPww

— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2021

A slate of celebrities and other Twitter users took to social media to laud Gorman for her poem on Sunday. 

We adore you @TheAmandaGorman #SuperBowlSunday

— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) February 7, 2021

The future is @TheAmandaGorman and it couldn’t be brighter.

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) February 7, 2021

Amanda Gorman shines again.

A beautiful poem for the #SuperBowl. ❤️

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) February 7, 2021

.@TheAmandaGorman THANK YOU for your light. https://t.co/XEbwucwkGJ

— Debra Messing✍ (@DebraMessing) February 7, 2021

Thank you to our first Equalizer @TheAmandaGorman who continues to inspire and honor so many! #TheEqualizer #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Aa4Vmke1Oy

— Queen Latifah (@IAMQUEENLATIFAH) February 7, 2021

Superstardom is a good look on you, @TheAmandaGorman. https://t.co/V956hQFOH6

— Van Jones (@VanJones68) February 7, 2021

The NFL announced last month that the league would honor Davis, Dorner and Martin as honorary game captains in an effort to thank essential workers at the game amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The trio participated in the on-field coin toss ceremony.

Davis is an educator who ensured “both his students and members of their households had devices and internet access to help bridge the digital divide,” as many schools went online during the coronavirus pandemic. He secured hot spots, laptops and tablets for his students, in addition to hosting tech workshops for families, according to an NFL statement

Dorner is the COVD-19 ICU nurse manager at Tampa General Hospital. Two of her grandparents have died from COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Martin has worked to support “veterans, high school athletes and local youth” in Pittsburgh, according to the NFL statement. He has connected more than 1,800 veterans and their families virtually through the Wounded Warrior project, in addition to livestreaming every home football game for Aliquippa High School.

Gorman is the youngest presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. She rocketed to fame last month after reading her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Biden’s inauguration.

The poet on Sunday tweeted that “Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art & our country, because it means we’re thinking imaginatively about human connection even when we feel siloed.”  

Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art & our country, because it means we’re thinking imaginatively about human connection even when we feel siloed. I’ll honor 3 heroes who exemplify the best of this effort. Here’s to them, to poetry, & to a #SuperBowl like no other

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) February 7, 2021