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You Can Bet on the First Word During Amanda Gorman’s Super Bowl Poem

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Jan 29, 2021 · 6:33 AM PST

Amanda Gorman reciting a poem
Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem, "The Hill We Climb," during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)
  • Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman will be reciting a poem before Super Bowl LV
  • Odds are being offered on which word will be said first during Amanda Gorman’s Super Bowl poem
  • Among the three options offered with this prop, heroes is the -120 odds-on favorite to be spoken first

Amanda Gorman is a Super poet and it seems that now, the whole world knows it. America’s first-ever youth poet laureate, Gorman will deliver the first poetry recital in Super Bowl history.

She’ll read a poem just prior to the Super Bowl coin toss that will be dedicated to the game’s three honorary game captains – educator Trimaine Davis, nurse manager Suzie Dorner and veteran James Martin – who are slated to participate in the ceremonial coin toss between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Naturally, as with anything even remotely related to Super Bowl Sunday, there’s a prop bet being offered on Gorman’s poetry. Bettors can wager on which of three words she will recite first.

Heroes is the -120 odds-on favorite. Pandemic is at a betting line of +115. Super is the longshot on the board at +200.

Word Spoken First During Amanda Gorman Super Bowl 55 Poem

Word Odds
Heroes -120
Pandemic +115
Super +200

Odds as of Friday, Jan. 29th. 

Gorman will be the first to recite poetry during the Super Bowl. However, considering that rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi performed at halftime of Super Bowl 53, she won’t be the first to be busting out some rhymes at the big game.

The Super Bowl game is slated for Sunday, Feb. 7th at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30pm EST.

Biden Inaugurates Gorman To USA

In reality, no one beyond family and friends had any idea who Gorman was prior to the Jan. 20th inauguration ceremony as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President in the history of the United States.

Gorman, 22, America’s National Youth Poet Laureate read her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at Biden’s inauguration. The buzz it created on the day was the talk of the national news cycle for the next day. Clips of her reciting the poem dominated social media feeds.

YouTube video

The daughter of an English teacher, Gorman was raised in Los Angeles. A Harvard graduate, Gorman has served as national youth poet laureate since 2017.

Gorman has written poetry since childhood.

Afflicted by a speech impediment – a malady similar to the life-long stutter that Biden has dealt with – Gorman needed to overcome her fear of performing in public due to her condition.

According to a release from the NFL, Gorman’s Super Bowl poem will be dedicated to spotlighting the “tremendous impact during an unprecedented year” that the three honorary game captains have made throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gronk Dons a Beret

On Super Bowl Sunday, Rob Gronkowski will start at tight end for the Buccaneers. He’ll be playing in his fifth Super Bowl game.

He came out of retirement this season, joining the Bucs and resuming his bromance with former New England Patriots teammate Tom Brady. A year ago, though, a relaxed Gronk was anything but retiring on Sunday Bowl Sunday.

YouTube video

Donning a beret, Gronk joined EPSN’s Katie Nolan in reciting some Super Bowl poetry.

Some of Gronk’s more memorable verses included a nod to the man who will be his opposite number on Sunday.

“That Travis Kelce is quite a tight end,” Gronkowski recited. “He can run routes, because his body can bend.”

Nolan was left unimpressed by Gronk’s ability to assemble stanzas. “Somewhere, Edgar Allan Poe is rolling over in his grave,” she noted.

What’s the Word She Will Speak?

With all the deserved talk about the heroic first responders who’ve been working the front lines fighting COVID-19 for almost a year, it’s easy to understand why heroes would be the chalk in this prop.

Pandemic is also a legitimate contender. However, perhaps is wise to be considering the sage words of long-ago Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips, who said, “You dance with the one who brung you.”

The heroes of the pandemic might be why she’s there, but it was the NFL that sent Gorman’s invitation to recite her poem on their biggest stage, Super Bowl Sunday.

Pick: Super (+200)

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