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.
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.
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“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.
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“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.
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