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Maddie McIntire

Following the game, members of the community gathered on Massachusetts St. to celebrate. “I could feel the air downtown was electric and full of excitement the second I got downtown,” senior Madelyn Harris said.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 Feb. 12 in Super Bowl LVII. It was a competitive game between the two teams, but in the end the Chiefs came out on top.

With an outstanding 182 passing yard performance and a 21 out of 27 pass completion rate from league Most Valuable Player [MVP] and quarterback Patrick Mahomes on a high ankle sprain, and a big second half showcase from receivers Kadarius Toney and Juju Smith-Schuster, Kansas City was able to mount a comeback and achieve victory in Super Bowl LVII.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Nick Bolton played the game of his life with a scoop and score and nine tackles. 

In what will go down as an instant classic, history was made in multiple facets. With this being the first matchup between two starting African American quarterbacks and two brothers in a Super Bowl, the game has stamped itself in the history books. 

The Eagles set the tone early with a touchdown on their first drive, and went into the locker room at halftime with a ten point lead. It would be no easy comeback for Kansas City, especially with Mahomes hobbling into the locker room after reaggravating his ankle. Head coach Andy Reid regrouped his team, and Mahomes felt good enough to play to begin the second half. 

Kansas City trimmed down Philadelphia’s lead in the third quarter with a touchdown, but they kicked it into high-gear in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs got to work quickly with Mahomes finding an open Toney on an out-route giving Kansas City their first lead of the game. 

After forcing a Philadelphia punt, Toney made another massive play with a 65-yard punt return to bring the Chiefs within four-yards of the endzone. Mahomes was then again able to reach paydirt, finding rookie Skye Moore to give Kansas City a 35-27 lead. 

The Eagles responded on their next drive with a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie the game at 35.

Patrick Mahomes took the field once more with a chance to drive down and win the game. 

However, an astounding game ended in controversy. On third and eight on the Eagles 16 yard line with 1:52 left on the game clock, Mahomes threw an incomplete pass intended for Smith-Schuster. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was flagged for holding. As replay showed multiple angles, many disagreed with the call, citing an insufficient amount of contact to rule holding. 

This penalty gave Kansas City a new set of downs, allowing them to kneel out the clock and kick the game-winning field goal.

Even though many people were upset with the call, Bradberry addressed his thoughts on the call in a press conference after the game, admitting to holding Smith-Schuster.

“It was holding,” Bradberry said. “I tugged his jersey. I was hoping they would let it slide.” 

After gaining his second career super bowl, super bowl MVP and league MVP this season, Mahomes has solidified his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As for the Chiefs, they look to continue their run of dominance and be a super bowl contender next season.