Hero pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger has been named the grand marshal of the 121st Tournament of Roses parade.

Sullenberger will ride a flower-festooned float in the New Years' Day parade, themed "2010: A Cut Above The Rest."

He'll also toss the coin before the 96th Rose Bowl Game hosted by Citi which will feature two of the top college football teams in the country.

"It has long been a family tradition to watch the Rose Parade," Sullenberger said.

The Tournament of Roses announced Sullenberger's selection on Thursday.

Sullenberger safely ditched US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River last January after bird strikes crippled the airliner during takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport. All 155 people aboard safely escaped the aircraft.

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