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Super ovation for 'Sully', US Airways crew

Captain lauded as hero for landing plane in Hudson river

Image: SullenbergerGetty Images
Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III, left, and the US Airways Flight 1549 crew stand on the field as singer Jennifer Hudson performs the National Anthem on Sunday.

TAMPA, Fla. - Sully received quite a Super ovation.

US Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and the rest of the crew for Flight 1549 were honored before Sunday’s Super Bowl between Pittsburgh and Arizona for helping rescue 150 passengers after an emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River.

Sullenberger, praised last month as a hero for a skillful landing that saved lives after both the plane’s engines were disabled following a collision with a flock of birds, was introduced to a standing ovation at Raymond James Stadium, along with co-pilot Jeffrey B. Skiles and flight attendants Doreen Walsh, Sheila Dail and Donna Dent.

All 155 passengers and crew members were rescued.

The NFL also honored Gen. David Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command, during a pregame ceremony. He was joined on the field by John Elway, Roger Craig and Lynn Swann — stars of Super Bowls played 10, 20 and 30 years ago, respectively — for the coin toss.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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