By Morgan Bryce

Associate Editor

Opelika Medal of Honor recipient and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins will be one of 14 other Medal of Honor recipients recognized during the coin toss preceding Sunday’s Super Bowl LII matchup between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

In a statement last Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the intention of the ceremony is to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of this special group of individuals.

“The NFL is proud to honor our Nation’s heroes at Super Bowl LII. These courageous individuals deserve to be recognized on America’s biggest stage,” Goodell said. “We are grateful for their service to our country and we are pleased to continue the NFL’s longstanding tradition of hosting special tributes to service members at the Super Bowl.”

World War II veteran Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, who received the honor for courageous actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima, will perform the coin flip.

Adkins was selected for the commendation for his acts of valor during a four-day defense against North Vietnamese forces March 9-12, 1966, from his unit’s Camp A Shau in southern Vietnam. He formally received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony presided by former U.S. President Barack Obama on Sept. 14, 2014.

Kickoff for the Super Bowl is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. central time on NBC. For more information, visit www.nfl.com and click on its news tab.