Highlights like performances, celebrity appearances, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ back to back win at the Super Bowl LVIII were truly one for the books.
The Kansas City Chiefs became the back to back champions at the Super Bowl LVIII held at the Allegiant Stadium on Sunday night, February 11. They won 25-22 against the San Francisco 49ers after the game’s overtime. The game’s OT was only the second time in Super Bowl history according to Today. Their win on Sunday night made the Chiefs the first back to back victors in nearly 20 years.
Millions of people also tuned in to the Chiefs vs. 49ers game apart from those who attended live at the stadium. CBS stated that the tournament viewership skyrocketed to a staggering 123.4 million average viewers across platforms, making the Super Bowl LVIII the most-watched telecast in history. The numbers topped last year’s record, which was at 115.1 million.
Here are our favorite Super Bowl highlights.
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A three-yard touchdown led to victory
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won as the season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the third time in his career. USA Today reported Mahomes is tied with Hall of Famer Joe Montana for the second most Super Bowl MVPs and trailing behind Tom Brady’s five wins.
The quarterback is the third player to win the award in back to back seasons. He got the title back in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mahomes delivered a spectacular game when he completed 34 out of 46 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. USA Today added his three-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman made the Chiefs victorious.
“The guys never faltered,” Mahomes said in an interview after the game. “I’m proud of the guys. It’s awesome. It’s legendary.” The three-time MVP added that it’s the start of a dynasty for the Chiefs and they will keep going.
Fil-Am Chiefs player Nikko Remigio wins first rookie year
The Chiefs have a Filipino-American player onboard the team named Nikko Remigio. He is currently on Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury during practice, so he was sidelined for the season. However, in his rookie year, he became part of the Chiefs’ back to back win against the 49ers. Remigio is a Wide Receiver on the team.
The National Football League (NFL) defined the Reserve/Injured list (IR) as someone who suffered a football injury, causing them to be unavailable to the team. Players placed on IR “prior to the close of the waiver period following final roster countdowns” won’t be able to play for that season.
Super Bowl pre-game performances
Three-time Grammy winner and “Queen of Country” Reba McEntire performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl LVIII. McEntire said this wasn’t her first rodeo and has been singing the anthem for decades according to CBS.
A performance from Andra Day preceded McEntire’s stint through her rendition of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice And Sing.” The NFL started to play the anthem in 2020 as a tribute following George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police authorities. Fox News mentioned the incident started a wave of actions against racial injustice across the United States.
Post Malone became part of the pre-game performances at the Super Bowl and sang “America The Beautiful.”
The Super Bowl LVIII halftime show performances
Eight-time Grammy winner Usher performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. He felt honored to fulfill one of his dreams: a performance in one of the much-awaited games in America.
He sang “My Boo” onstage with Alicia Keys, who is also a special guest in the Halftime Show and sang her hit, “If I Ain’t Got You.” Usher also partnered up with H.E.R. and played a guitar solo on his hit songs “Burn” and “Bad Girl.” He performed with will.i.am as well with the song “OMG” and appeared onstage in roller skates.
Rapper Lil Jon performed at the Super Bowl with his rendition of “Turn Down For What” and “Yeah!” with Ludacris.
CBS provided the complete list of performers in the game here.
Taylor Swift’s lucky 13 at the Super Bowl LVIII
To those who have been following the love story of Taylor Swift and the Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, you would know that the singer has been to 12 of the team’s games. The Super Bowl marks her 13th appearance. This is not the only instance where Swift’s lucky number proved to be favorable throughout the match against the 49ers.
Football fans and Swifties alike observed a couple of 13s that were widespread in the game. USA Today reported the Chiefs entered halftime with a score of 13. They scored a field goal and a touchdown in the third quarter which gave 13 points in favor of the team. Mahomes’ touchdown throw was to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and their jersey numbers’ average (15 and 11 respectively) amounted to 13.
Swift made it to Allegiant Stadium in 13 hours. It was the 58th Super Bowl (5+8 = 13) on February 11 (2+11 = 13), and the 49ers digits (4+9 = 13) all added up to 13. USA Today added the Chiefs won on a “13-play drive in overtime.”
American rapper Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr, also shared the “Taylor Voodoo” in a tweet from X. A series of his posts reflected a series of 13s and how it was incredible and that he enjoyed the oddity.
Swift elaborated in previous interviews that her birth date, 13, so far provided great things for her. Looks like it proved to be the Chiefs’ lucky day, too.
Kelce approached his mom Donna and Swift on the field after the win, where he and the latter shared a kiss.
Other celebrities in attendance
Aside from the Super Bowl halftime show and pre-game performers and Swift, it was a star-studded game day. Swift’s friends Ice Spice, Blake Lively, and Lana Del Rey attended the Chiefs vs. 49ers game as well as Scott and Andrea Swift, the singer’s parents.
American DJ and music producer Kaskade also provided entertainment at the Allegiant Stadium.
Actor Paul Rudd, Chef Gordon Ramsay, Jay-Z, and rapper/singer Queen Latifah were seen at the Super Bowl LVIII too. Justin and Hailey Bieber watched the game at the stadium as well.
The Hollywood Reporter also mentioned the attendances of the following stars: Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Jared Leto, Keegan Michael-Key and Elise Key, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jeff Goldblum, among others. Businessman and investor Elon Musk also watched the game live.
American football quarterback and 49ers legend Joe Montana showed his support for the Niners through his attendance.
Check more of the Super Bowl LVIII highlights here.
Banner photo from X @SuperBowl.
