Superbowl LIX
At this point, the Super Bowl is less than two weeks away, and excitement should be brewing—or at least, it should be. Instead, a lot of people seem to hate the two teams playing for the Lombardi Trophy. I get it. But at the same time, I think this Super Bowl is being immensely underappreciated, and that’s just stupid.
Here’s my take.
For starters, we’re getting a rematch of the 2023 Super Bowl—how often does that happen? The Eagles have a chance to avenge their heartbreaking loss after leading 27-21 going into the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have an opportunity to make NFL history by winning their third straight championship, becoming the first team to complete a three-peat in the Super Bowl era. They’d also be the first major sports franchise to achieve a three-peat since the Shaq & Kobe Lakers.
That’s where my main point comes in: the three-peat—and the fact that no one (except Chiefs fans) wants it to happen.
Let me be clear: I’m not rooting for either team. As a Giants fan, it’s tough to pull for the Eagles (even though I’d love to see Saquon Barkley get a ring). And I’m not about to cheer for the Chiefs, either. What I am rooting for is a close, exciting football game.
I understand why both franchises are hated. Eagles fans are insufferable—no argument there. Chiefs fans have also become unbearable, especially now that Kansas City has reached five Super Bowls in six seasons. But here’s the thing: I still appreciate greatness when I see it.
I’m not blaming the refs for what happened in the AFC Championship Game. Yeah, they missed that fourth-and-inches call. It happens. The Bills still had an opportunity to win the game—Dalton Kincaid just dropped the ball. And sure, Mahomes sometimes gets the benefit of the doubt on "roughing" calls. But let’s not pretend the Chiefs haven’t earned their spot in this year’s Super Bowl.
Yes, they’ve caught some lucky breaks this season. But don’t get it twisted—Patrick Mahomes is still that dude.
I don’t care that he didn’t put up video game numbers like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson this season. He doesn’t need to. The man just wins. Mahomes now has a 17-3 playoff record, which is absurd when you compare it to Tom Brady’s 35-13 career postseason mark. What we’re witnessing is special, and people need to start appreciating it.
Are the refs sometimes in the Chiefs’ favor? Sure. But they’re not the main reason for Kansas City’s success. Some people act like this team is worse than the Patriots, who were literally caught cheating multiple times. Now, all of a sudden, people are saying that “football has become a joke.” Why? Because the Chiefs keep winning? Because people don’t like Mahomes or Travis Kelce?
That’s ridiculous.
People hated Brady and Belichick, too. We don’t discredit their accomplishments. So that should mean we shouldn’t discredit what Kansas City has accomplished.
I just hope fans go into this Super Bowl with an open mind and appreciate the football they’re watching—instead of blaming everything on officiating or whining about the teams involved.
The Chiefs have a chance to make NFL history—that alone is worth appreciating. The Eagles have a chance to redeem themselves for 2023 and prevent a three-peat from happening. That’s also worth appreciating.
I want to view this upcoming Super Bowl through a lens of open-mindedness and appreciation for football.
Both teams are damn good.
Both teams have annoying fan bases. (Great storyline.)
One team has a chance to make history. (Another great storyline.)
The other team has a chance to stop history from being made. (Yet another great storyline.)
Whether you like it or not, history will be made on February 9th.
I just hope people can appreciate it—and stop complaining about bullshit.
