Super Bowl LVII

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Lore & Background

Both teams finished the regular season with a league-best 14–3 record. This was the Eagles' fourth Super Bowl appearance, having previously won Super Bowl LII and lost Super Bowls XV and XXXIX. This was the Chiefs' fifth Super Bowl appearance overall and third in the last four seasons, having previously won Super Bowls IV and LIV and lost Super Bowls I and LV. The Chiefs won the game 38–35 on a game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker. Butker's game-winning kick was set up by a pivotal defensive holding call on Philadelphia cornerback James Bradberry, which was criticized by some observers but supported by others, including Bradberry himself. The 73 combined points made this the third-highest scoring Super Bowl game, and the 35 points scored by the Eagles were the most by the losing team in the Super Bowl. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP), completing 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. The three touchdowns and two-point conversion scored by Jalen Hurts tied the record for most points scored by a player in a Super Bowl with 20. The game was remembered for the use of signature plays on both sides, with the Chiefs scoring one touchdown on a play using the Corn Dog misdirection route and the Eagles scoring twice using the Tush Push.

In Their Own Story

The climax of Super Bowl LVII arrived on a pivotal defensive holding call against Philadelphia cornerback James Bradberry, which set up Harrison Butker's game-winning field goal. This specific penalty sparked debate among observers but was supported by some, including Bradberry himself. The playing surface at State Farm Stadium faced significant criticism from players of both teams due to slipperiness; several changed cleats during the contest to gain better traction on the Tahoma 31 grass. For George Toma, this marked his final game as groundskeeper, a role he had held for every Super Bowl since the event's creation. The broadcast on Fox became the most-watched program in American television history at that time, averaging 115.1 million viewers, while Rihanna's halftime show peaked at 121 million viewers.

Reader's Guide

Super Bowl LVII was the last Super Bowl that George Toma would serve as groundskeeper for, having previously served as groundskeeper for every Super Bowl since the event's creation. The field conditions were criticized by players, particularly for slipperiness. Kansas City and Philadelphia would meet for a rematch two years later in Super Bowl LIX, in which the Eagles avenged their loss against the Chiefs, 40–22. The victory secured their second Super Bowl title, after Super Bowl LII seven years prior.

Did You Know?

• The Chiefs' win in Super Bowl LVII gave them their third Super Bowl title, after wins in Super Bowls IV and LIV.
• The 35 points scored by the Eagles were the most by the losing team in the Super Bowl.
• The Chiefs scored one touchdown using the Corn Dog misdirection route.
• The halftime show, headlined by Rihanna, peaked at 121 million viewers.