President Reagan`s long-distance participation in the coin toss was a delight to San Francisco 49er fans. The ceremony featured Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny, a former 49er star running back.
A special hook-up between Stanford Stadium and the White House was shown live on ABC television to a worldwide audience of more than 100 million viewers. President Reagan, who earlier in the day was sworn in for his second term, tossed a commemorative coin while McElhenny and the team captains met at midfield.
After the captains were introduced by referee Pat Haggerty, McElhenny asked the visiting team`s captain, center Dwight Stephenson of the Miami Dolphins, to call heads or tails.
Stephenson called heads. Reagan tossed the coin and said, ”It is tails.” The 49ers elected to receive. The President tossed a coin that commemorates Super Bowl X, the Bicentennial game in January, 1976, in which Pittsburgh beat Dallas 21-17.
