Performer Arrested After Super Bowl Protest with Flags, Banned for Life from NFL Events
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a 41-year-old performer, was recently arrested following his protest during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Superdome in New Orleans. Although he was not arrested at the time of the incident, the Louisiana State Police have now charged him with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly.
During the halftime performance, Nantambu displayed Palestinian and Sudanese flags in a public act of protest. This act was deemed a serious disruption by authorities and the NFL, despite his having authorized access to the field. His deviation from his assigned role led to his ejection from the event and a lifetime ban from attending any future NFL games.
Performer Arrested After Super Bowl Protest with Flags, Banned for Life from NFL Events
NFL Commends Police, Emphasizes Zero Tolerance for Game and Halftime Disruptions
The NFL responded strongly to the protest. Chief spokesperson Brian McCarthy praised the Louisiana State Police for their handling of the case and emphasized the league’s commitment to ensuring that all aspects of its events, including halftime performances, remain orderly and undisturbed. The NFL has framed Nantambu’s actions as a significant breach of protocol that warranted legal consequences.
Adding an unusual twist to the situation, Nantambu has claimed to be the individual targeted by Antonio Brown during a shooting incident at a boxing match in Miami this past May. This separate claim introduces an additional layer of controversy to Nantambu’s public profile, though it is unrelated to the Super Bowl protest and subsequent arrest.
Eagles Prepare for 2025 NFL Draft with Key Roster Moves and Strategic Picks
As the excitement of the previous Super Bowl lingers, the NFL gears up for a fresh season in September. However, before the action resumes, the annual NFL Draft is set to take place from April 24 to April 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This event allows teams to bolster their rosters with top collegiate talent.
The Philadelphia Eagles, having won the Super Bowl, will make the last pick in the first round. With several selections in subsequent rounds, Executive VP and GM Howie Roseman, known for his strategic maneuvering, might make impactful trades during draft weekend.
For the 2025 draft, the Eagles hold a first-round pick (No. 32) and multiple selections in later rounds, including the second (No. 64) and third (No. 96). They also have four picks in the fifth round, acquired from various teams, which could be used for depth additions.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Eagles have eight confirmed picks, including an extra third-rounder from the New York Jets. Additionally, they expect four compensatory picks, making them well-equipped for future roster moves. These draft assets give Philadelphia flexibility to either trade up or add depth in crucial areas.
Eagles Address Free Agency Changes and Roster Needs Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
With several players set to hit free agency, the Eagles must address multiple positions. Key departures include pass rusher Josh Sweat (Cardinals), cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) and Darius Slay (Steelers), and running back Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers).
The defensive line and secondary require reinforcements, while offensive line depth remains a concern. The Eagles did retain linebackers Zack Baun and Ben VanSumeren, but several players remain unsigned, such as Avonte Maddox and Jack Driscoll. How the front office fills these gaps will significantly influence their draft strategy.
Eagles Prepare for 2025 NFL Draft with Key Roster Moves and Strategic Picks
Philadelphia has been active in free agency, signing left guard Kenyon Green (Texans), edge rusher Joshua Uche (Chiefs), and running back A.J. Dillon (Packers). They also added cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (Giants) and tight ends Harrison Bryant (Raiders) and Kylen Granson (Colts).
These acquisitions address some immediate needs but do not eliminate the necessity for additional reinforcements via the draft. Notably, Dillon’s injury history means the Eagles might still seek a young running back to complement their backfield.
Eagles Target Versatile Running Backs and Key Positions in 2025 NFL Draft
With the draft approaching, Philadelphia is evaluating several running back prospects. RJ Harvey (UCF) is a strong candidate, boasting impressive agility and cutting ability, though he sometimes struggles with breakaway speed.
Another option, Kyle Monangai (Rutgers), is a powerful runner with solid elusiveness but lacks top-end speed. Lastly, Brashard Smith (SMU) offers explosive speed and pass-catching abilities but may require development as an every-down back. Given the Eagles’ need for depth, at least one of these players could be a valuable mid-round selection.
Despite solid free agency signings, the Eagles’ approach to the draft will focus on fortifying both sides of the ball. Their multiple mid-round picks provide opportunities to address key positions, including edge rusher, linebacker, and offensive line.
The front office’s history of strategic trades suggests they may move up or down the draft board to maximize value. With a championship-winning roster to maintain, the upcoming draft will be crucial in ensuring the Eagles remain contenders for another Super Bowl run.
Players and coaches celebrate during the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFL football Super Bowl 59 parade and celebration
Philadelphia was filled with green on Valentine’s Day as fans celebrated their Super Bowl-winning team.
Excited fans cheered loudly on Friday as MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie took turns holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the team’s victory parade through the city.
Many fans camped along the parade route overnight, keeping warm under blankets and in tents to get good spots near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the Eagles stood on the famous “Rocky” steps. Hurts told the crowd, “You know I told myself that when I got drafted, that I wouldn’t come to the Rocky steps until I won a championship. And now we’re here.”
Other fans, wearing Eagles jerseys, climbed trees, light poles, and ladders, even clinging to a statue of Benjamin Franklin near City Hall to catch a glimpse of running back Saquon Barkley and rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, who made an interception for a touchdown on his 22nd birthday.
Head coach Nick Sirianni spoke about the team’s special bond with the fans, saying, “This team is special. We can’t be great without the greatness of others and that certainly applies to our fans.”
Barkley, along with several players, left the open-air buses to walk along the parade route and give high-fives to fans crowded by the barricades.
Jordan Jaindl, who couldn’t attend the 2018 parade after the Eagles’ first Super Bowl win, made sure to come this time, bringing his wife and three daughters from Binghamton, New York. He said the team represented the city’s spirit.
“Their work ethic,” he explained. “How they have to grind for each win. We have to grind here in Philly.”
Fans brought grocery carts full of food and drinks, while some stayed warm in hotels sipping champagne. One group roasted a pig with “15” carved on it as a playful jab at Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Despite being underdogs, the Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, shutting them out in the first half and winning 40-22.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley celebrates during the NFL football Super Bowl 59 parade and celebration
Veteran defensive end Brandon Graham shared his excitement: “I’m so happy you didn’t have to go through a nail-biter game. It’s about us being gritty. We’re going to stay gritty.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and other city leaders asked the team’s excited fans earlier this week to stay safe and keep the celebration joyful.
“In the midst of all this beauty, all of the sacrifices this team has made to meet this moment, we don’t want it to all go by the wayside,” the mayor said.
Even with her requests, some fans climbed onto city trucks, danced on top of port-a-potties, and scaled light poles.
Just weeks before, a college student died after falling from a street pole following the Eagles’ NFC championship win. A year ago, a shooting at Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory celebration resulted in one death and nearly two dozen injuries.
There was a strong police presence along the parade route, which went from South Philadelphia, where the Eagles play, all the way to City Hall and the art museum.
Dump trucks and heavy equipment blocked several side streets along the route. City schools were closed for the parade, as well as city courts and other services.
Cooper DeJean runs into the end zone after a touchdown
Cooper DeJean had an incredible way to celebrate his 22nd birthday. He became the first player in Super Bowl history to intercept a pass or score a touchdown on his birthday. He returned a bad throw from Patrick Mahomes 38 yards for a touchdown, giving Philadelphia a 17-0 lead over Kansas City in the second quarter of the game.
“It’s crazy,” DeJean said. “I never thought that would happen. And it did happen. It’s pretty cool. I’m just happy we won the game.”
It was also a special 28th birthday for DeJean’s teammate, Saquon Barkley, who set a new single-season record for the most combined rushing yards in both the regular season and playoffs.
However, it was DeJean who made the biggest play. He intercepted Mahomes after cutting off a route from DeAndre Hopkins and ran it back for the touchdown. DeJean said he kept things simple once he got the ball.
“Score a touchdown,” he said. “I was trying to find the fastest way to the end zone. Luckily, I got some blocks out there. I had to avoid some of those big guys, but it was just our defense working together like we have all year. It fell right into my lap.”
In the game’s history, it was the first pick-6 in a Super Bowl since Robert Alford’s pick-6 for Atlanta against Tom Brady and New England eight years ago. That interception gave the Falcons a 21-0 lead, but the Patriots made the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.
That game marked the only instance where a team lost a Super Bowl after returning an interception for a touchdown. All other 13 teams, including Tampa Bay in Super Bowl 37, where three pick-6s were made against Oakland, won the game.
Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate with the trophy
DeJean and Barkley are only the 15th and 16th players to appear in a Super Bowl on their birthday. None of the previous players had scored a touchdown or intercepted a pass before DeJean.
Barkley ran for 57 yards on 25 carries, setting the new NFL season rushing record, including the postseason, surpassing the previous record of 2,476 yards set by Terrell Davis.
DeJean, a second-round pick from Iowa in 2024, became an important part of Philadelphia’s defense early in the season, helping the team recover. His big play brought joy to his hometown of Odebolt, Iowa, where fans gathered to watch the Super Bowl.
Jalen Hurts has faced criticism throughout his career, often focusing more on his failures than his achievements.
He was benched during a college football championship game, transferred from Alabama to Oklahoma to regain a starting position, and drafted in the second round as a backup before quickly becoming a starter and silencing doubts about his passing ability in the NFL.
All these challenges fueled Hurts to prove himself, and now, he is a Super Bowl MVP.
“I’ll always be the same guy,” Hurts said. “I was telling someone that I’m the same kid that came to a national championship and lost, went back and got benched, and had to transfer. I went through this unprecedented journey, but that kid always kept the main thing the main thing and stayed true to his vision of what he saw. It all started with greater leadership and doing it the right way.”
While Hurts wasn’t required to do much thanks to a dominant defensive performance from the Eagles, he made crucial plays when needed, showing the same calmness that’s been key to his career on football’s biggest stage.
He completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, avenging their Super Bowl loss to Kansas City two years ago.
“Dealing with everything that came with the last Super Bowl, still feeling empty because as great as the performance was, it wasn’t enough to win,” Hurts said. “Going through those emotions, processing them, lit a great flame in me. It enhanced my desire to win significantly.”
In that previous Super Bowl, Hurts threw for 304 yards and a touchdown, rushing for 70 yards and three scores, but the Eagles lost 38-35 when Harrison Butker kicked the go-ahead field goal with just 8 seconds left.
Hurts then signed a five-year, $255 million contract, but critics still questioned whether he was holding back the Eagles offense. Despite an early interception in this game—his first since Week 10 against Dallas—Hurts played nearly flawlessly against Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Jalen Hurts huddles up with the teammates before the game
“The criticism of him blows my mind because I think he’s so special,” said coach Nick Sirianni. “He won so many games, works his butt off, and just continues to get better. He blocks everything out and focuses on the task at hand.”
Hurts converted scrambles when facing pressure and consistently found open receivers. His 46-yard deep pass to DeVonta Smith in the third quarter made it 34-0, putting the finishing touches on the Super Bowl win.
“In the biggest moments, when there’s the biggest haters or doubters, this man just, I don’t know, just outshines and takes command,” said left tackle Jordan Mailata.
Hurts also threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Brown late in the first half and scored on a 1-yard tush push for the game’s first touchdown. His performance was historic, joining Hall of Famer Joe Montana as the only two quarterbacks to throw for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns, rush for at least 50 yards, and score a touchdown in a Super Bowl.
Hurts is now just the fourth quarterback to lose his first Super Bowl start and later win one, joining Hall of Famers John Elway, Bob Griese, and Len Dawson.
“We can’t rewrite history or do anything about the past, but we can make it even,” said A.J. Brown.
Philadelphia Eagles players celebrates with the trophy
Yo Philly: Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni are world champions!
A powerful Philadelphia Eagles defense made Patrick Mahomes’ life difficult, while Hurts made all the right plays to secure the win. The Chiefs’ hopes for a Super Bowl three-peat were dashed.
It wasn’t even a close contest.
Cooper DeJean celebrated his 22nd birthday with a pick-6, Josh Sweat pressured Mahomes throughout the game, and the Eagles crushed the Chiefs 40-22 on Sunday to claim the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.
Hurts threw two touchdowns and ran for another on a tush push, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Vic Fangio’s defense was so strong that the Eagles didn’t need much from Saquon Barkley, who finished with 57 yards, breaking Terrell Davis’ record for rushing yards in a season and playoffs combined. Hurts passed for 221 yards.
“This is the ultimate team game. You can’t be great without the greatness of others. Great performance by everybody — offense, defense, special teams,” Sirianni said. “We didn’t really ever care what anyone thought about how we won, or their opinions. All we want to do is win.”
Hurts has faced doubts since he played for Alabama in a national championship game and was benched for Tua Tagovailoa. Even finishing second to Mahomes in MVP voting two years ago didn’t fully quiet his critics. Now, he’s holding the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Sirianni, who dealt with criticism and mockery early in the season, proved his worth by adding a championship ring to his resume, which already includes one of the best coaching win percentages in league history.
“Things come right on time. The last time around, it wasn’t our time, it wasn’t my time, and sometimes you have to accept that you have to wait your turn,” Hurts said. He came close to beating the Chiefs two years ago in Arizona.
Superbowl filled with Stars
With Donald Trump becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, the Eagles outplayed the Chiefs in every aspect, thrilling a pro-Philly crowd that cheered with each score, singing “Fly! Eagles! Fly!”
Even Taylor Swift’s presence couldn’t help the Chiefs. They lost for the first time in 10 games this season with the pop star in attendance, watching boyfriend Travis Kelce, who didn’t catch a pass until late in the third quarter.
Kansas City fans never imagined such a poor performance. The Chiefs had won three of the last five Super Bowls, with their only loss coming 31-9 to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers four years ago.
Mahomes had a perfect 8-0 record against Fangio’s defenses before the longtime coordinator and former Broncos head coach outsmarted Andy Reid, finishing his first season with his hometown team. Reid’s Super Bowl record fell to 3-3, including a loss with the Eagles.
The Eagles sacked Mahomes six times, the most he has ever been sacked in a game, with 2 1/2 sacks from Sweat and two from Milton Williams. They accomplished this without Fangio calling a single blitz.
“Defense wins championships,” Hurts said. “We saw how they played today. We saw the difference they made in the game. They gave us opportunities, gave us short fields. And we’re able to do what we do.”
Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts celebrate with the trophy
Barkley, the 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, only rushed for 31 yards in the first half as Philly built a 24-0 lead.
The Chiefs were aiming to become the third team in NFL history to win three straight championships and the first to achieve a three-peat in the Super Bowl era. Two years ago, Mahomes led a comeback, and Harrison Butker kicked the game-winning field goal in the final minute for a 38-35 victory over the Eagles. Mahomes also led Kansas City to an overtime win against San Francisco last year.
“That’s a great football team and we had to come out and play our best, and we did,” Sirianni said.
This time, a revamped Philly defense with eight new starters from the 2022 team made sure Mahomes couldn’t work his magic.
Sirianni was drenched in Gatorade with almost three minutes left in the game while backup QB Kenny Pickett took the final snaps.
“Today was a rough day all around. Nothing went right. I didn’t coach well. Proud of our guys for fighting. We will learn from this,” Reid said. “Too many turnovers, too many penalties. Against a good football team, can’t do that.”
Barkley and Hurts took the game away
Barkley helped Hurts into the end zone from the 1-yard line to give Philadelphia a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Up 10-0 after Jake Elliott’s 48-yard field goal, Sweat and Jalyx Hunt sacked Mahomes on back-to-back plays. Mahomes then rolled out and made a poor throw, which was intercepted by DeJean, who returned it 38 yards for a 17-0 lead.
“When you have a great line up front … makes it easier on the back end, and when they take the run away, it allows us to get the pass rush going,” DeJean said.
It was Mahomes’ first pick-6 in 21 career playoff games and ended a streak of 297 straight passes without an interception.
“We didn’t start how we wanted to. The turnovers hurt. I take all the blame for that,” Mahomes said.
All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun picked off Mahomes again late in the second quarter, and Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for a 12-yard TD pass, making it 24-0.
Hurts threw a perfect 46-yard TD pass to DeVonta Smith to extend the lead to 34-0 late in the third quarter.
Mahomes threw a 24-yard TD pass to Xavier Worthy to avoid the shutout, but the 2-point conversion failed. He later threw two mostly meaningless TD passes, one to DeAndre Hopkins and another to Worthy.
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes walk off the field at the halftime break
After two weeks of discussions about questionable calls that led to public criticism claiming officials favor the Chiefs — a theory NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called “ridiculous” — the first penalty of the game only fueled the critics.
A 32-yard pass from Hurts to Brown, putting the ball at the Chiefs’ 18-yard line on fourth-and-2, was negated by a penalty for offensive pass interference. Brady, now a Fox analyst, and officiating expert Mike Pereira both disagreed with the call, though Brown did shove Trent McDuffie’s facemask.
On the next possession, the Eagles benefited from an unnecessary roughness penalty on McDuffie against Dallas Goedert after an incomplete pass on third-and-5.
Hurts then connected with Jahan Dotson on a 27-yard pass to the 1-yard line and scored on the next play.
Hurts’ streak of 217 passes without an interception ended in the first half when he was intercepted deep in Kansas City’s territory, but the Chiefs didn’t capitalize.
The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL team to win three championships in a row, doing so from 1929-31 and 1965-67.
The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neill, are the last team in major American professional leagues to win three straight titles.
Cooper DeJean scored a touchdown after an interception, Zack Baun made a pick in his former professional home, and the Eagles dominated Patrick Mahomes so completely that by the time Kendrick Lamar performed “Game Over” at halftime, it was clear the Super Bowl was already decided.
The Eagles’ defense, led by 66-year-old defensive coach Vic Fangio, never let down this season, and they were at their best in the Super Bowl.
The defense was at its peak against a struggling Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, crushing them 40-22 to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.
DeJean, Baun, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams led a championship defense that overwhelmed the Chiefs, sacking Mahomes six times, the most ever against the two-time MVP.
“Credit to the Eagles, man. They played better than us from start to finish,” Mahomes said.
In the first half, the Chiefs seemed lost, only gaining 23 total yards and just one first down. Mahomes completed only 6 of 14 passes for 33 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions—one of which was returned for a touchdown by DeJean, and another by Baun, which led to another Eagles touchdown.
The Chiefs were shut down by the Eagles, who didn’t blitz once during the game, relying on their four-man rush. Baun praised the game plan and the team’s communication, saying, “When you’re winning with the four-man rush and you can just cycle guys through and they’re still winning, you don’t have to blitz.”
Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, was sacked three times and held scoreless in the first half, marking just the third time in his NFL career he’d been shut out for a half, as the Eagles took a 24-0 lead.
Chiefs center Creed Humphrey admitted, “They didn’t show any, you know, different looks. They didn’t show anything unscouted. It just came down to, you know, them coming out playing harder.”
The Eagles didn’t worry about Saquon Barkley, who only gained 31 yards in the first half. DeJean’s 38-yard interception return for a touchdown gave them a 17-0 lead, and they didn’t need to blitz to dominate the game.
Cooper DeJean runs into the end zone after a touchdown
Fangio, who had a 0-8 record against Mahomes as a head coach in Denver and a defensive coordinator in Miami, was credited for turning a weak defense from 2023 into a dominant unit. Fangio said, “You go in with a plan, but he’s so good you know you’re going to have to adjust. We just adjusted with coverages.”
Fangio coached two rookie starters in the secondary, Quinyon Mitchell and 22-year-old DeJean, and helped turn Baun into an All-Pro linebacker. Baun had been a special teams player with limited defensive time in New Orleans, but Fangio helped him reach new heights.
“I mean, the beauty of it is like that Vic just gives us a call, we don’t question it,” Sweat said. “He puts us in a position to make plays. I don’t know how he does it.”
Baun’s signing was largely overlooked compared to other big offseason moves, like the addition of Saquon Barkley, who became a Super Bowl champion, and linebacker Bryce Huff, a $51 million failure who didn’t play in the game.
The Eagles also thrived without veteran defensive end Brandon Graham, who made his return from a torn triceps to play in the Super Bowl. Graham said he wasn’t sure yet whether he would retire.
Any defensive player, whether it was Sweat, DeJean, Williams, or the whole unit, could have been named Super Bowl MVP.
The Eagles will have no problem celebrating their championship with a parade down Broad Street in Philly this week.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Relationship Fuels NFL Popularity
Thousands of Super Bowl fans were partying on Bourbon Street, and fancy, celebrity-filled parties were happening on Friday night with less than 48 hours to go until the Super Bowl.
However, four miles away in New Orleans, a quiet French restaurant in the mostly residential Uptown neighborhood became the center of attention. Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift surprised locals when they walked into the elegant restaurant ‘Lilette,’ known as ‘the sexiest restaurant in town.’
Cameras started flashing, fans gathered to see them, and social media was buzzing with the question: are they really out two nights before the Super Bowl?
It turned out that Kelce wasn’t the only Kansas City Chiefs player to step away from preparations for a moment. He was joined by Patrick and Brittany Mahomes in a private dining room, staying away from the busy main area where Joe Montana and Jennifer Coolidge were among the guests.
Fans stood outside the restaurant as the couple ate with the Mahomes. The foursome stayed for a few hours, but as news spread on social media, Swift’s fans gathered outside to catch a glimpse of her.
Kelce and Swift left just after 10 p.m., ending a night that left some Chiefs fans worried that Kelce’s focus might be on something other than the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
The decision to go out raised questions after Kelce and Swift had promised not to let outside distractions affect his preparation for the game. Last year, before the Chiefs’ win over the San Francisco 49ers, Kelce shared a strong opinion about why players shouldn’t be out and about before a big game.
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Speaking to his brother Jason on the New Heights podcast, Kelce said, “We’ve got one week, we do what we need to do then we can party in Vegas for the rest of our lives.”
It came just days after reports said that Swift was “worried” her presence in the city could shift attention away from Kelce and the Chiefs’ Super Bowl hopes.
A source said, “Taylor doesn’t want to be the center of attention. She just wants to support Travis and help him focus on the game. She wants Travis to enjoy his Super Bowl week experience and be at 110% for Sunday, as she is dreaming about him making Super Bowl history and winning another Super Bowl and making a three-peat.”
Kelce and the Chiefs have the chance to make history by winning three Super Bowls in a row, something no other team has done. But by going out so publicly just 48 hours before the game, Kelce raised concerns about whether his focus was where it should be if the Chiefs lose to the Eagles.
Chariah Gordon, whose fiancé is Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., shared in November that Andy Reid, the Chiefs’ coach, imposes a strict 11 p.m. curfew on his players. It seems Kelce didn’t break any team rules, but the situation is more about public perception, as he practiced on Saturday as expected.
Should Kelce and Mahomes really be out in public so close to such an important game?
They have a chance to make NFL history, but if they lose, questions will be raised about their decision to dine out in New Orleans.
One thing we know is that Swift would not have stayed with Kelce at the Chiefs’ Marriott hotel. NFL rules prohibit partners from staying in the same room the night before a game, although they can stay in the same hotel.
Coaches and players have spent the last two weeks preparing for the Eagles by refining their game plan and practicing. The nights leading up to the game are usually spent with team-building activities, making it uncommon for players to go out so close to the game.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoying the match
Kelce’s actions are in contrast to how Julian Edelman, former Patriots wide receiver, used to prepare for Super Bowls. Edelman once explained his routine by saying, “Eat. Then we have meetings, usually.
Go over the game plan, go over the whole call sheet. And then I take a little melatonin and pass out. I like to be in bed by 9 and watch some TV. Catch a flick and then end up falling asleep.”
As Chiefs fans on Bourbon Street saw their two star players out in the city, some began to worry if they had lost focus. Social media was filled with opinions about their surprise outing, with one fan calling Kelce “unfocused” and another adding, “Bad look. Kelce supposed to be locked in and watching film. I’m sure that outing could have waited.”
A third person said, “Normally the players do not go out the week before they are playing in the Super Bowl because of how seriously they take the game, or so I’m told. Even saw an old clip of that Kelce guy saying that.”
Only Kelce and Mahomes know if the night out was a distraction. However, if the Chiefs lose, their night out will give fans something to criticize them for.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles face off in a historic Super Bowl matchup. The Chiefs seek to become the first team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowls, while the Eagles are determined to avenge their 2023 loss. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST in New Orleans, with NPR and its member stations providing full coverage. Fans can expect updates on game highlights, commercials, and halftime performances.
Patrick Mahomes and the Battle for Super Bowl Supremacy
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ superstar quarterback, is leading his team toward a potential dynasty, drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan’s legendary Chicago Bulls. The Eagles, coming off a strong season with 14 regular-season wins and a dominant NFC Championship victory, hope to reclaim the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Key factors include the Chiefs’ ability to win close games and the Eagles’ powerful defense, which aims to pressure Mahomes. Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ star running back, will also play a crucial role after a historic rushing season.
Patrick Mahomes (NFL)
Even non-football fans have plenty to enjoy with this year’s Super Bowl entertainment. Kendrick Lamar, fresh from his Grammy wins, headlines the halftime show, while Jon Batiste will perform the National Anthem. The festivities began earlier in the week with St. Augustine High School’s Marching 100 welcoming both teams. Super Bowl commercials will feature major brands, and fans can participate in themed activities like Philly Super Bowl bingo.
Sports Betting and Social Messages
A record-setting $1.39 billion is expected to be wagered legally on the game, surpassing last year’s total. However, authorities warn of potential scams and rising gambling addiction concerns. The NFL is also making headlines with its decision to replace the “End Racism” end zone message with “Choose Love,” sparking discussions about diversity and inclusion in sports.
Despite recent security concerns, New Orleans remains a top destination for sports and entertainment, with millions visiting for events like Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. Tailgating traditions continue to unite fans over food and team spirit. With history on the line, this Super Bowl promises unforgettable moments for football lovers and casual viewers alike.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham has been cleared to return from a torn triceps injury he suffered 11 weeks ago and will play in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 36-year-old Graham was initially thought to be out for the season after injuring himself during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 24.
He was placed on injured reserve two days later, which seemed to end what he had expected to be his final season. However, as the Eagles continued to win, including all three NFC playoff games, Graham began to hint he might be able to play in the Super Bowl, even considering wearing his No. 55 jersey as a good luck sign after the Eagles scored 55 points in the NFC title game.
Graham returned to practice last week as a limited participant and was listed as a full participant on Friday’s injury report. He was officially added back to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
This week, in New Orleans, Graham shared that he imagined himself running out of the tunnel for Super Bowl introductions.
“It’ll feel great because you worked your butt off to get back,” Graham said. “I know the team worked their butt off to get here and I want to be there for them.”
Graham is one of only two position players and four players remaining from the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team from the 2017 season.
The Eagles’ first-round pick from Michigan in 2010, Graham had mentioned in training camp that he planned to retire after this season. However, his injury caused him to reconsider, though his retirement decision is still not final.
Brandon Graham runs a drill in the NFL practice
He is remembered for one of the most iconic moments in Eagles history, when he strip-sacked New England’s Tom Brady in the Super Bowl with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter. Derek Barnett recovered the fumble, and the Eagles held on to win 41-33.
Graham missed most of 2021 with a torn Achilles tendon but came back the next season to set a career-high 11 sacks. This season, he had 3 1/2 sacks in 11 games before his injury. He holds the franchise record with 5 1/2 career postseason sacks.
Graham played 18 snaps in the Eagles’ loss to the Chiefs two years ago, without recording a tackle or sack.
The Chiefs elevated linebacker Swayze Bozeman and cornerback Steven Nelson from the practice squad on Saturday. They did not activate wide receiver Skyy Moore, who has been on injured reserve but practiced during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
Without Graham, the Eagles have found success with a three-player rush combination of Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat, and Jalyx Hunt.
“I don’t want to get in the way of the rhythm of what everybody already has,” Graham said. “If I can just add anything, I want to give everything I’ve got.”
With the Kansas City Chiefs preparing for their third Super Bowl in as many seasons and the Philadelphia Eagles returning for their second in three years, Sunday will feature many players with significant experience in big games.
Players from both teams shared what advice they would give themselves before their first Super Bowl appearance, focusing on things like relaxing, staying hydrated, and having fun—without overdoing it.
CHIEFS
PATRICK MAHOMES, quarterback: “We won that first one but I felt I came out too anxious, a little too pumped up, so more than anything just play the game that you love the way you’ve always played it and that will be enough.”
JAYLEN WATSON, cornerback: “Just chill, don’t get too high too early, it’s a long week, don’t wear yourself out, it’s an exciting week.”
NICK BOLTON, linebacker: “The ebbs and flows, the highs and lows of the game, I would’ve let myself know that. It’s such an emotional game, the game goes up and down.”
JUSTIN REID, safety: “Just, throughout the week, try and enjoy the experience a little bit more. I’ve had some fun but you want to make sure with your first Super Bowl that you play well. Secondly, it’s just being prepared for how long the game is. That was different, the extended warmup, instead of a three-hour game it’s a five-hour game, it’s a 30-minute halftime so just having a great plan for that.”
GEORGE KARLAFTIS, defensive end: “It’s just a game. It’s the same game you’ve been playing 19 times that season. Same game, same time, all that stuff.”
HARRISON BUTKER, kicker: “There were a lot of nerves and anxious feelings the entire two weeks and especially the week leading up to the Super Bowl. I remember getting to the game and just feeling exhausted from all of the pressure that felt like it was on my shoulders.”
CREED HUMPHREY, center: “Just enjoy the moment, it’s hard to get to this game, just enjoy everything you can, don’t take it for granted. Enjoy the moment but focus on the mission.”
LEO CHENAL, linebacker: “We’ve had this group of guys that I’ve been around since my first season and we’ve had the experience of getting to places like this and going far in the playoffs. I would tell myself to not get wrapped up in off the football field. You have to appreciate the spectacle of where we are but don’t get wrapped up in it.”
Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate after a touchdown
EAGLES
AJ BROWN, wide receiver: “Focus on the game.”
DARIUS SLAY, cornerback: “I would tell myself to not warm up as much, as fast. I was energized and ready to go and not knowing I had to go back in the locker room and sit there for another 45 minutes. I had to re-warm up, so I have to pace myself, a lot more stretching because of the halftime show which feels like an hour long. I don’t want to get tight, so I have to make sure I’m loose and ready to go.”
DEVONTA SMITH, wide receiver: “Just go out there and be you.”
REED BLANKENSHIP, safety: “Have fun, embrace it, don’t get caught up in the lights. It’s another game, we get to play football. It’s the biggest stage in football and the world and it’s an honor to play in it.”
DALLAS GOEDERT, tight end: “Dreams are coming true. Do everything you can to help the team win because winning is the most important thing.”
LANDON DICKERSON, center: “Don’t ride the waves. There’s gonna be a lot of good times and a lot of bad times. Stay level-headed and keep playing.”
LANE JOHNSON, offensive tackle: “Probably hydrate a little more. I was pretty tired out there.”
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has never beat Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is very familiar with Patrick Mahomes, but that might not be a good thing heading into Super Bowl LIX.
Mahomes has faced a Fangio defense eight times, and the Chiefs won all eight games.
“He’s won the chess match against me, the final score,” Fangio said this week. “We’ll see if we can come up with something.”
Fangio, like Steve Spagnuolo of the Chiefs, is considered one of the best defensive coordinators in NFL history. He started his NFL career as a linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints in 1986, and he’s been coaching in the NFL almost every season since. However, he has never won a Super Bowl.
It’s interesting that Fangio now has a chance to complete the missing piece of his coaching career in the city where his NFL journey began, and it’s happening against the quarterback he hasn’t been able to figure out yet.
Patrick Mahomes looking forward to the chess match
This week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked who his biggest rivals were when it came to calling plays.
“This guy we’re playing this week is a pretty good defensive coordinator,” Reid said, referring to Fangio. “I feel like I can’t get rid of him.”
Many of Fangio’s experiences against Mahomes and Reid came during Fangio’s time as head coach of the Denver Broncos. Fangio could never get a win over Kansas City, but the Broncos never had a team strong enough to compete with the Chiefs during that time.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce arrive for the Super Bowl 50 Opening Night
Still, it’s worth noting that Mahomes hasn’t been troubled by Fangio’s defense. In their eight matchups (six with Denver, two with the Miami Dolphins, including a playoff game when Fangio was their defensive coordinator), Mahomes threw 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He posted a passer rating of 100 or higher in four of those games, and a rating of 93.9 or better in two others.
Even though Mahomes has had success against Fangio’s defenses, he knows it’s always a challenge.
“Every time I’ve played Coach Fangio, there has been different changeups and different things that he has thrown at us, and I think that’s what makes him so great,” Mahomes said. “He’s not going to just do exactly what you saw the last time. I’m sure there will be blitzes in the game, I’m sure there will be times when they play coverage.
It’s going to be a chess match. You want to go up against the best and he’s one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. It’ll be a great challenge for us as an offense, and as a football team.”
Fangio’s defense has been elite
This time, Fangio has a team that can compete with Mahomes. The Eagles have won 15 of their last 16 games since the end of September, and much of that success is because of Fangio’s defense, which allowed the fewest yards in the NFL this season.
The Eagles didn’t start strong, but Fangio was adjusting to his first year with the team, and his defensive scheme takes time to learn. Eventually, it clicked.
“Once we picked it up, we took it and ran with it,” Eagles safety Reed Blankenship said.
The Eagles have performed well against some strong quarterbacks, but Mahomes presents a different challenge. Fangio can try to confuse Mahomes, but he says it’s difficult.
Kansas City Chiefs players celebrate in the 1st half
“I think the one thing about Mahomes that gets overlooked and not appreciated because of his great talent and everything he does that’s visible to everybody, his knowledge in pre-snap processing and post-snap processing is elite,” Fangio said. “I don’t think he gets enough credit for the intelligence part of the game that he has mastered.”
Instead, Fangio says the key is focusing on the basics. He must avoid losing a pass-rushing lane that would allow Mahomes to break free for a big run. He has to avoid making mistakes in coverage, and he’ll likely have some well-timed blitzes ready in hopes of getting a big play.
“I’ve always said the definition of a great quarterback, which he obviously is, there is no one way to play him,” Fangio said. “So you’ve got to mix it up, because he’s tremendous and if he can settle in on what you’re doing, he’ll figure it out.”
Fangio has great respect for Mahomes, who has already proven himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and has the championships to back it up. Fangio has a talented defense, and he’s ready to do everything he can to finally beat Mahomes.
“There is no secret,” Fangio said. “This is what, his seventh or eighth year as a starter? Nobody has gotten the formula to beat him one way.”
The Eagles hope that this time, Fangio will have the right answer.
