WATCH: Controversial defensive holding dooms Eagles in Super Bowl 57 vs. Chiefs
A potential classic, back-and-forth Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles was marred by a late holding call. With the Chiefs down in the red zone and trying to bleed the clock for a late score, the officials called a questionable defensive hold on the Eagles.
The penalty gave the Chiefs an automatic first down and, with no timeouts left, the Eagles were unable to stop the clock inside the two minute warning. With the two teams tied at 35, all the Chiefs needed to do was bleed out the remaining time and let Harrison Butker kick a go-ahead field goal with seconds left.
His kick was true, and after an Hail Mary attempt from the Eagles fell short, the Chiefs got a controversial Super Bowl win.
On the play, Eagles corner James Bradberry pretty clearly gets handsy with JuJu Smith-Schuster at the route stem. But the penalty effectively handed the game to the Chiefs. Had the pass just been incomplete, the Eagles could’ve forced a field goal attempt and given the offense a chance to drive for a tie or win with nearly a minute remaining.
Instead, it’s the defensive hold that will live in infamy for Eagles fans — and the obvious call for Chiefs faithful.
Nick Sirianni, James Bradberry address controversial holding penalty vs Chiefs
Super Bowl LVII was an instant classic and a back and forth battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Chiefs ended the game victorious with a 38-35 victory.
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The closing act of Super Bowl Sunday was highlighted by a questionable defensive holding penalty that worked in the favor of the Chiefs. With the game tied 35-35, Kansas City had the ball with 1:54 left in the ball game. On a 3rd and 8 quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster that was incomplete, but the play was followed by a flag on Eagles cornerback James Bradberry.
The holding penalty set the Chiefs up for a game-winning field goal, and despite the call being questionable, according to a report from NFL reporter Ari Meirov, Bradberry agreed with the call saying, “It was a holding. I tugged his jersey. I was hoping they would let it slide.”
Eagles head coach Nick Siranni shared a similar sentiment with the holding penalty following the game saying, “It’s not my job to make the call. Those guys have to do that in a split second.”
Philadelphia fans may not be as forgiving as Bradberry and Sirianni were following the controversial call, and one play doesn’t determine the outcome of the game. But the penalty was definitely a major turning point of the Super Bowl and one that will live in the back of the minds of all associated with the Eagles’ organization for years to come.