Four 100-Year-Old World War II Veterans Were Honored during the Coin Toss at Super Bowl LIV

The National Football League honored four centenarian world War II veterans during the coin toss ceremony at the Super Bowl LIV.

Charles McGee, Odon Cardenas, Samuel Lombardo, and Sidney Walton served their fatherland with the US armed forces decades ago.

The four 100-year old veterans who fought and survived the second world war, and on Sunday, were honored by the NFL for all those years of selflessness.

THE HONORARY SUPER BOWL COIN FLIP

As part of the plan to honor the world war II veterans, the football league enlisted them to participate actively, against protocol, by taking part in the on-field deciding coin toss to decide what team begins the game.

Sunday's tournament marked the 100th season celebration of the famed league. Taking to Twitter, the NFL announced the result of the flip:

"The @49ers win the toss and elect to defer. The chiefs will take the ball to start the game."

MEET THE CENTENARIANS

The coin was flipped by Col. Charles E. McGee, while surrounded by his fellow centenarians. Charles McGee, enlisted in the United States Army over seven decades ago, enrolling as part of the Tuskegee Airmen.

These four men deserve our gratitude for their tremendous contributions to the United States of America.

His escapades include fighting in Italy, rescuing 100 war prisoners in Romania, attaining Colonel status, and flying in Korea and Vietnam.

Ordon Cardenas, a former Third Army squad, fought in France and Germany. He became a war prisoner after being captured by the Germans but was later freed.

Samuel Lombardo was a rifle platoon leader, company executive officer and fought in the famed Battle Of The Bulge. The fourth 100-year old icon, Sidney Walton, fought in Burma and India.

Today, he is an activist, and together with his son, Paul, goes around sensitizing the public about the dwindling numbers of world war II veterans.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HONOUR

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reflected on the significance of the centenary honor in a press release. He explained that:

"These four men deserve our gratitude for their tremendous contributions to the United States of America, and we're thrilled to recognize their service on the country's largest stage."

The executive director of the Friends of National World War II memorial also explained that through the honor, the league was "preserving the national memory of the greatest generation and World War II."

JAY-Z SPARKED CRITICISM AT THE TOURNAMENT

It seems the Hollywood power couple, Jay-Z and Beyonce, were not thrilled by the day's events as the pair, along with their daughter, Blue Ivy were spotted on cameras sitting during the NFL national anthem.

The purported show of arrogance turned heads and was criticized by many, but the hip hop mogul has stepped forward to explain his actions.

Days ago, during a Q & A session at the Columbian University, the billionaire explained that they were not making a political statement, or being arrogant as many have claimed.

Instead, they were observing the show in an artistic mode, because he headed the production and was anxious to see everything turn out perfect.

The events played out well, with a 31-20 Kansas City Chiefs victory against the San Francisco 49ers, and mind-blowing performances by the artists.