By Jordan Dallimore, Staff Writer
Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about football; it’s the biggest day of the year for betting. Parlays and last-minute wagers turn every play into a potential payday. People aren’t just betting on who wins; they’re sweating over how many yards Jalen Hurts will rush for, if the opening kickoff will be a touchback, or even what color the Gatorade shower will be. This year, I had my eye on the Eagles.
Philly had been dominant all season, and adding Saquon Barkley gave them an even bigger edge. Jalen Hurts had the weapons, their defense had been locking teams down, and the Chiefs, while obviously dangerous with Mahomes, had been inconsistent. It felt like the Eagles had the better all-around team, and I was convinced they were going to prove it.
Then came the halftime show. Kendrick Lamar didn’t just perform; he made a statement. Fresh off winning five Grammys for “Not Like Us,” he turned the Super Bowl stage into his victory lap. And when he stared directly into the camera and said, “Say Drake,” the internet lost its mind. It wasn’t just a diss anymore; it was a defining moment. Although SZA was guaranteed to appear, I wasn’t expecting Samuel L. Jackson or Serena Williams to show up. Icons and dominant in their respective fields, sharing the stage? That wasn’t just a cool moment; it was symbolic. It was a reminder of Black excellence, of pushing boundaries and of how hip-hop continues to shape the culture. However, the symbolism flew over people’s heads, many claiming it didn’t have enough “razzle-dazzle.”
Speaking of surprises, Donald Trump showed up too, making history as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl. Every time he was on camera, social media lost its mind, whether people were hyped, furious, or just there for the memes. He had already predicted a Chiefs win, so when things started going downhill for Kansas City, you could almost feel the internet waiting to roast him.
The commercials were a mix of nostalgia grabs and big-budget nonsense. Nike ran a Super Bowl ad for the first time in nearly three decades, and along with many, I was convinced Caitlin Clark was going to be the face of it. But the ad that had me shocked? The seal commercial. I still have no idea what it was selling. Whether it was insurance, snacks or a new streaming service, I could only sit and stare in shock, questioning, “Why am I watching this?” But isn’t that what Super Bowl commercials entail? Overpriced attention-grabbing ads with random celebrity cameos?
By the second half, it was clear the Eagles had this one in the bag. Jalen Hurts was in complete control, throwing for 221 yards and running for another 72. The defense was relentless, sacking Mahomes six times and shutting down any hope of a comeback.Once the game was basically over, I started tuning out. The big moments had already happened, my bets were settled, and I had watched enough over-the-top celebrity appearances for one night.
Final score: Eagles 40, Chiefs 22.
Looking back, it was everything a Super Bowl should be: great football, over-the-top entertainment, surprise celebrity moments and just enough chaos to keep it interesting. And if your parlay cashed, it was an even better night.
