Superbowl Sunday

Superbowl 2020

One of the most watched sporting events across the United States took place this past weekend. That is the Superbowl. The game to name a champion of the National Football League. The 54th Superbowl took place on February 2, 2020 in Miami, FL. In Miami, the champions of the NFC, San Francisco 49ers, took on the champions of the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers were looking for their sixth franchise Superbowl win, while the Chiefs returned to the big game for the first time in 50 years.

Pregame Ceremonies

The pregame ceremonies that lead up to the game are a big part of the Superbowl. Pregame shows previewing the match up start as early as 9 hours before kickoff. Analyst from around sports weigh in on their opinion of the game. One big event held this year was a tribute to the basketball great, Kobe Bryant, before kickoff. Kobe passed away in a helicopter crash just weeks before the Superbowl. Both teams lined up on their own 24-yard line before the game for a moment of silence for the legend. 24 was the number wore by Bryant for most of his NBA career. Following the moment of silence, the National Anthem and America the Beautiful were sang. American the Beautiful was performed by Yolanda Adams, and the National Anthem was sung by Demi Lovato. Gathered on the field also before kickoff, was the members of the NFL All-100 team. These were players seen as the best of the best for the first 100 years of the NFL. Some not with us anymore, some old, and some young apart of this legendary team.

Kickoff

After a much-anticipated wait, it was time for the game to get underway. The Kansas City Chiefs were to get the ball first and in the hands of their young star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. After a pretty slow first quarter, Mahomes would record a rushing touchdown and the Chiefs would take a 7-3 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter was very similar to the first. Not much action and scoring. San Francisco’s quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo would complete a 15-yard pass that would go in for a score. Kansas City would add a field goal of their own. The halftime score would sit at 10-10.

A surprisingly uneventful first half would give way for a highlighted halftime performance. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira headlined the Superbowl 54 halftime show. The two women put on a wonderful show. Shakira would sing and dance first on center stage in front of millions of viewers, followed by 50-year-old Jennifer Lopez. The women were joined on stage by a couple of other singers for a few songs. Jennifer Lopez also made her young daughter apart of the performance with her daughter singing her own song. The halftime show would eventually come to a close and it was time for more football.

The third quarter belonged solely to the 49ers. They first started with a promising drive that ended in a field goal to put them up 13-10. Following their score, Kansas City would look to answer. Patrick Mahomes would be picked off for the first time in his young postseason career. The 49ers took advantage of the turnover and added a touchdown to widen their lead to 20-10 headed in the final quarter.

As seen in the previous two playoff games, the Chiefs were not incapable of a comeback. Some even believed the Chiefs had San Francisco right where they wanted them. This proved to be right. The Chiefs marched down the field and Patrick Mahomes would find tight end Travis Kelce for a touchdown to close the gap to 20-17. Helping out, Kansas City’s defense came up with a big stop of the 49er’s offense giving the ball back in their superstar quarterback’s hands. Mahomes completed 5 of 5 throws on this drive, with one going for a touchdown. The score is now 24-20 with only 2 minutes and 44 seconds remaining in Superbowl 54. The game was now in the hands of 49ers offense and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He was proven not capable of coming back on the Chiefs defense. They would stop the drive and then tack on a late touchdown to seal the game 31-20. The Kansas City Chiefs were Superbowl Champions. Patrick Mahomes would be crowned Superbowl MVP.

Champions

The Kansas City Chiefs just became Superbowl Champions. 24-year-old, Patrick Mahomes was named Superbowl Most Valuable Player. Mahomes finished the game 26-42 for 286 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. He also added 29 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Andy Reid was the great coach of the Chiefs. He held the most wins in the NFL without a Superbowl win. This would stand no more. The future hall of fame coach deserved this win as much as anyone. The Lombardi Trophy would be coming home to the city of Kansas City. Two of the major sports champions will now reside in the state of Missouri, with the Stanley Cup Champions St. Louis Blues, and the now Superbowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs.