Football fans were furious in the final minutes of Super Bowl LVII, when Philadelphia Eagles defensive back James Bradberry was called for holding. The penalty gave the Kansas City Chiefs a first down and allowed them to run nearly all of the clock out before kicking the eventual game-winning field goal. It was a controversial penalty but according to one unlikely source, the right one.
After the game, Bradberry was asked about the penalty. He was refreshingly honest.
“I pulled on his jersey,” Bradberry said, per Josina Anderson, CBS. “They called it. I was hoping they would let it ride.”
James Bradberry: I pulled on his jersey. They called it. I was hoping they would let it ride. pic.twitter.com/JwCi4laT56
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 13, 2023
The reaction to Bradberry’s comments was divided.
He received a lot of praise for acknowledging his penalty and not using the referees as an excuse. Other fans, though, remained frustrated. The feeling there was that even if it was the correct call, that the application of it was so rare throughout the game that it shouldn’t have been called in that spot.
People will victory lap this but it doesn't change the fact refs didn't call it all night. Like Logan Wilson last year. https://t.co/BLckbzKFhD
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) February 13, 2023
It’s about consistency https://t.co/PoI2u23R7m
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) February 13, 2023
That is very honest from Bradberry. Good on him. He's owning it. https://t.co/Q7xQrU3Y5R
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) February 13, 2023
People will victory lap this but it doesn't change the fact refs didn't call it all night. Like Logan Wilson last year. https://t.co/BLckbzKFhD
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) February 13, 2023
Respect to Bradberry for this. I hope Eagles fans treat him with grace. https://t.co/vMKWVCxbtt
— Matt Michaels (@MattAndAMic) February 13, 2023
It’s also worth noting that even if the flag hadn’t been thrown, the Chiefs still would have been well positioned to win. Harrison Butker missed a kick earlier but from a longer distance. So, assuming he would have made his kick, Kansas City still would have led with less than two minutes remaining. Still, the penalty being called definitely helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.
[Josina Anderson on Twitter]
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