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The NFL has confirmed that former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara will flip the coin to kickoff this year’s Super Bowl game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. The announcement was made just days after the couple was released from the hospital.
On Jan. 14, the 92-year-old Bush was admitted to the Methodist Hospital in Houston after he was diagnosed with pneumonia. His stay extended to over two weeks after he was placed in the facility’s intensive care unit due to complications caused by his illness. His wife also spent the recent weekend in the hospital due to exhaustion. Both were forced to skip President Donald Trump’s inauguration due to their conditions.
Fortunately, on Jan. 30, the former U.S. president was discharged from the hospital and appears to be on his way to fully recovering. Now that Bush is healthy again, he and his wife are expected to head to Super Bowl LI to determine which team will start the championship game.
Earlier today, Bush expressed his excitement for the upcoming event by posting a gif of a rotating Super Bowl coin on Twitter.
“I approached them in December, and they were very enthusiastic about wanting to participate,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a press conference according to SB Nation. “We’re honored to have them. Obviously, you all know that both of them have had a little bit a setback health-wise recently, but I’ve heard from both of them and they’re excited and anxious to be here.”
This year’s Super Bowl game will be held on Feb. 5 at the NRG Stadium in Bush’s hometown of Houston, Texas. It will feature the match between the AFC champs the Patriots and the Falcons, the NFC title-holder. The event’s halftime show will be headlined by Lady Gaga.
