Super Bowl 2017 coin toss: Former President George H.W. Bush will do the honors

Super Bowl LI will take place in the state where George H.W. Bush started his political career. As a result, the former President of the United States will be on hand for the coin toss to determine who starts the biggest game of the year.

Bush took to Twitter Wednesday to express his excitement over his latest job.

The appearance marks an impressive turnaround for the Houston native after both he and his wife were recently hospitalized. Bush was admitted to intensive care while battling pneumonia and was only released last Monday. Former First Lady Barbara Bush wasn’t keen to let a life-threatening illness ruin their Super Bowl experience.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that both the former president and first lady would be help with the coin toss.

“I approached them in December, and they were very enthusiastic about wanting to participate, “ Goodell said at his Super Bowl press conference. “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.”

President Bush moved to Houston in 1959 and was the first Republican to serve Houston in the United States House of Representatives. His election win in 1966 set the stage for an ambitious career that peaked at the White House. He served two terms as Ronald Reagan’s vice president before riding Reagan’s unparalleled popularity to a victory over Michael Dukakis in the 1988 U.S. Presidential election. He served just a single term in office and is the only President to lose an election while running as an incumbent since 1981.

Bush has been involved in the world of sports since his college days. He played first base at Yale, where he participated in the first two College World Series, and was a member of the university’s cheerleading squad and soccer team. In the intervening years, he’s been a hunter, tennis player, golfer, and jogger.

This won’t be the first time he’s been present for an important pregame ceremony in Houston. Bush threw out the first pitch of the Astros’ season in 2015. In October, he handled coin flip duties before a game between the Lions and Texans.