On the night of May 9, the fifth week of the Super League saw Nanjing FC draw 0-0 away against Nantong FC in a heated clash. But the true highlight of the evening didn’t come from a goal—it happened just before kickoff.
As the flag-bearers stepped into the massive stadium, they weren’t star players or celebrities. They were the unsung heroes of our city: delivery riders who bring you meals, ride-hailing drivers who pick you up late at night, and couriers who handle your packages. Day in and day out, they hustle through the streets, adding their sweat to the fabric of everyday life. But on this night, dressed in their work uniforms and holding the flags, they received thunderous applause from tens of thousands of fans. In the stands, their families were moved to tears; in front of screens, their children proudly pointed and said, “That’s my dad—he’s a model worker!”
Yes, these are the modern-day model workers. What the Super League has done is put these grassroots heroes front and center on a field that belongs to the people: Labor is most honorable, and ordinary lives can shine.
What does “grassroots” mean? It comes from the people, it’s close to everyday life, and it carries the most authentic drive and the broadest emotional resonance. You don’t need to understand offside rules or know the difference between a corner kick and a free kick. For just a few dollars or a dozen dollars, you can bring your kids, bring your parents, sit in a 100,000-seat stadium, and cheer together, laugh together. Football here isn’t an elite privilege—it’s a festival for everyone. The People’s Super League honors the people’s heroes. It brings model workers from behind the scenes to center stage, turning a grassroots field into a hall of honor.
