World War II Hero Hershel W. Williams Does Super Bowl LII Coin Toss [PHOTOS]

World War II hero Hershel “Woody” Williams served as Super Bowl LII’s “Honorary Captain” on Sunday.

Super Bowl LII coin toss news

The 94-year-old decorated Marine, who won the Medal of Honor in 1945, stood at the 50-yard line amid a group of Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots players at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

When the referee announced his name, a deafening applause from the Eagles-dominated crowd ensued.

Williams flipped the coin to determine which tea would kickoff and which would receive. The heads side of the coin included the Lombardi Trophy and the tails featured both NFL teams’ logos.

“The honor is yours,” said referee Gene Steratore.

Philadelphia called tails. It landed on heads.

Among those who snapped a photo with Williams was CNN anchor and lifelong Eagles fan Jake Tapper:

Williams is the last living solider to receive the nation’s highest honor for valor from serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

While speaking with a local television station in his native West Virginia, Williams said he was looking forward to the toss. When asked if he had been practicing coin-flips, the war vet added, “We’ve done that all of our life. Heads I win, tails you lose.”

He also said he hoped his coin toss would inspire unity in the country.

Williams went beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he reportedly used a flamethrower to destroy pillboxes, or dug-in guard posts, made of concrete. He also won a Purple Heart, among other honors.

Besides Williams, 14 other veterans who received the prestigious Medal of Honor were honored at Super Bowl LII.

Article by Pablo Mena

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