INGLEWOOD, CA — Long Beach native Billie Jean King will join team captains at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, tackling girls youth football players from the Inglewood Chargers and Watts Rams, and the Flag Football League of High School girls. Champions at the toss ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl at Sophie Stadium.
The "collective trailblazer" was chosen as part of the NFL's celebration of Americans who defy stereotypes.
Before stepping onto the field of honorary captains, King will pay a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the impact of the Equal Opportunity Law on the landscape of education and sport.
"It's an honor to stand alongside these outstanding student athletes and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX on one of the biggest stages in the world," said the legendary tennis player. "It's hard to understand inclusion until you've been singled out, and I am proud of this year's Super Bowl coin toss and the NFL's commitment to bringing together and making us stronger."
Riverside football players – Travin Adams, Christian Jimenez, Jori Valencia and Enos Zornoza – were invited by the NFL to stand alongside the captains of the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals in recognition of the CSDR's stellar season.
The Cubs fell 12–1 last time, the only loss to Faith Baptiste of Canoga Park in the Southern Division 8-man Division 2 Finals.
Adams, Jimenez, Valencia and Zornoza will wear their jerseys when they take the field to participate in the coin toss.
NFL officials said there will also be deaf actors performing at the halftime show.
Honorary captains include Andrea Castillo of Watts Rams, Giselle Lopez of Inglewood Chargers, Nadira Myrena of Rise Kohyang High School, Elisheva Ferzt of Yula High School, Kaylyn Harris of Lawndale High School and Tamaya Hemphill of Inglewood High School.