Anyone who’s anyone made sure to attend Super Bowl LI, even former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barabra Bush, who just weeks earlier skipped out President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
The Bushes were in attendance Sunday evening (Feb. 5) to perform the coin toss for the match between the Atlanta Falcons and The New England Patriots. The couple currently resides in Houston and were both released from the hospital in late January where Bush was admitted to “address an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia.” The former first lady was treated for fatigue and “severe coughing.” The couple seemed to be in good spirits as they greeted the players and the fans who gave them a warm welcome.
The couple declined an invite for Trump’s inauguration ceremony last month citing their health struggles. Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush (with a plastic poncho) were begrudgingly present.
The couple seemed to be in good spirits as they greeted the players and fans who gave them a warm welcome. Variety reports the 92-year-old was the first president to take part in Super Bowl traditions in person after he performed the coin toss at Super Bowl XXXVI. Ronald Regan got in on the fun when performed the coin toss via remote satellite in 1985.
The Bushes appearance wasn’t missed by social media, who cracked a few jokes at Trump’s expense.
George & Barbara had a written doctor's excuse for missing the inauguration but pull up at the super bowl like Petey Pablo in 'Drumline' ?
— PagTheeStallion (@ThatsSo_Pagan) February 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/roywoodjr/status/828387088739467264
Great-Grandaddy George Bush was finna die 2wks ago but was just out on the #SuperBowl field talmbout "gimme the coin."
— Miss Shawn! (@thepbg) February 5, 2017
Former President George Bush flips the coin and crowd loves it. But when VP Mike Pence was shown on big screen, resounding boos.
— Juliet Macur (@JulietMacur) February 5, 2017
Shade or not, at least the couple got to enjoy the game.