George H. W. Bush does coin flip at Super Bowl 51 (Video)
Former president George H. W. Bush performed the coin flip before Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
Super Bowl 51 had an electric atmosphere before the game on Sunday native. Houston’s own George H. W. Bush was on hand to perform the coin flip before the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots squared off in Super Bowl 51. Bush and his wife, Barbara, made a special entrance.
Entering from the end zone, Bush was wheeled out by a member of the United States Navy. When he reached midfield, referee Carl Cheffers thanked him for joining everyone at the game. The former president flipped the coin as the crowd roared.
President George H. W. Bush tosses the coin for #SB51!@atlantafalcons win the toss and defer! https://t.co/aFtVZmFEpX
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2017
The toss ended up being tails and it meant the Falcons won the coin toss. Atlanta elected to defer which meant the Patriots and Tom Brady got to start with the football. The coin toss was all about paying tribute to the former president.
Each of the captains from both teams gave a round of applause as he was wheeled out. The respect shown to the former president served as a reminder how great this country is when it’s working in unison.
Bush had been hospitalized recently and there were concerns whether or not he would be able to make the game. Showing a fighting spirit, he was able to be discharged from the hospital recently and he once again was on tap for a Super Bowl in Houston. In a game that people were hoping for a classic, Bush got it started the right way.