The pain of Sunday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs is still fresh in the minds of Philadelphia Eagles fans. But one moment in particular, the holding call on cornerback James Bradberry that allowed the Chiefs a game-winning chip-shot field goal, remains a sore point.
Bradberry admitted that he held up Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, setting up another flurry of downs for the Chiefs with little time left in the fourth quarter. But many believed that that call should not have been made there because it seemed a bit complicated.
While the fans may have been upsetting the refs, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie decided to make it a bit more subtle by speaking up after the loss.
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie embrace on the field before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
«I thought we deserved to have a chance to win the game in the last few minutes,» he said, via The Philadelphia Inquirer.
If he didn’t stop, the Chiefs likely would have settled for a field goal, giving Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense a chance to either tie the game or take the lead, leading to a win. Unfortunately, the Eagles had one last mistake by Hail Mary and Hurts while attempting the deep downfield shot.
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After the game, Bradberry said his hand was clinging to Smith-Schuster’s jersey, taking responsibility for the biggest decision of the game.
«I pulled at his jersey,» Bradberry told reporters. «I was hoping they would let it go.» Smith-Schuster had a clear pass on Bradberry as he spun upfield, likely resulting in a touchdown pass to Patrick Mahomes.
James Bradberry #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles is called for holding against JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Head coach Nick Sirianni was also asked about that play, but he wanted to focus on the game as a whole.
«It always seems to be a call… That’s not what it is. So many teams contribute to the outcome of the game. Today they were better,» he said.
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But there were others, like former NFL punter and podcaster Pat McAfee, who were infuriated at the sight of the whistle there.
«That ref who made that holding call at that time at that stage in that game? Super Bowl? Huh? Huh?!…» he said. «Hello refs, you can’t call that there. Okay? It’s not about you. Was there a hold? I guess. If he stops and goes frame by frame, he had his hands on him, but nonetheless, in that Come on, we got robbed of a possible overtime game at the Super Bowl!
Owner Jeffrey Lurie of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on after they defeated the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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The Chiefs won their third Super Bowl in franchise history, and their second since the 2019 season, with a final score of 38-35.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.