Warrick Dunn gets Super Bowl role as Atlanta countdown hits 200 days

Atlanta's Super Bowl is just around the corner. Are you ready?

The countdown to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta marked a milestone Wednesday – 200 days to go – with an announcement that former Falcons star Warrick Dunn will serve as honorary captain of the large team of volunteers being recruited to help stage the mega-event.

Warrick Dunn is looking forward to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. (Contributed photo.)

icon to expand image

Dunn was chosen by the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee because of his considerable philanthropic work and his 12 years as an NFL running back.

» RELATED: With 200 days to go, Atlanta preps for Super Bowl

“It’s a great opportunity to be captain of a group of people who want to give back,” Dunn said. “Volunteers are so important for the Super Bowl.”

The host committee is in the process of selecting a volunteer force of about 10,000 people, dubbed Team ATL, to serve in various roles in the 10 days leading up to the Feb. 3, 2019, game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Volunteers will staff airport welcome desks, assist downtown visitors and support game-related events in Centennial Olympic Park, among other duties.

» Follow: AJC's Complete coverage of the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta

“It means a lot to me just to be a part of it,” Dunn said. “I never played in the Super Bowl, but I’ve been to Super Bowls and seen the community impact it has.

“It’s going to be a great time. I think the city is going to do a great job of hosting and showing everybody a great time and showing that Atlantans are very hospitable.”

Dunn played for the Falcons for six seasons (2002-07), rushing for more than 1,000 yards in three of them. He played his other six NFL seasons with Tampa Bay (1997-2001, 2008).

More than 26,000 people have submitted online applications to serve as Super Bowl volunteers, according to Atlanta’s host committee, which plans to interview about 15,000 applicants.