In just a few hours, Super Bowl 59 will kick off with the Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs aim to clinch the Lombardi Trophy for a third consecutive year. Here are the latest updates:
– **Fans Honor Truck Attack Victims:** At Bourbon Street, visitors paused to pay their respects to the 14 individuals who lost their lives in a recent truck attack. Eagles fans removed green beads and placed them at a memorial adorned with flowers and tokens of remembrance from tourists and locals.
– **Exciting Super Bowl Ads:** Famous personalities and creative concepts will feature in this year’s Super Bowl commercials, vying for viewers’ attention during breaks in the game.
– **’Puppy Bowl’: Team Fluff Triumphs:** Team Fluff emerged victorious over Team Ruff in the 21st “Puppy Bowl,” with an exciting final score and standout performances from adorable rescue puppies.
– **Chiefs and Eagles Inactive Lists Released:** The inactive lists for both teams were unveiled before kickoff, with no major surprises on the roster.
– **Trump’s Arrival in New Orleans:** Donald Trump arrived in New Orleans with family members and lawmakers in preparation for the Super Bowl.
– **Eagles Fans Enjoy Bourbon Street:** Dedicated Eagles fans expressed feeling safe while enjoying the festivities on Bourbon Street ahead of the game.
– **Eagles’ Brandon Graham Cleared for Super Bowl:** Eagles’ defensive end Brandon Graham has been activated for the Super Bowl after recovering from a triceps injury sustained months ago.
The 36-year-old Graham was initially believed to be out for the season following an injury on Nov. 24 against the Rams. However, with the Eagles continuing to win, Graham began to suggest that he might be able to wear his No. 55 jersey in the Super Bowl.
In the small farm town of Odebolt, Iowa, with a population of 920, a Super Bowl watch party was held to support native son Cooper DeJean. Green and black balloons decorated the town’s community building, where resident Jenny Sorensen was busy preparing free popcorn for the attendees. DeJean of the Eagles is known for always making time for the young fans who admire him, greeting them warmly and engaging with them.
Fox paid tribute to Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson with a 10-minute segment, covering his football journey from player to coach to broadcaster. Johnson, visibly moved, expressed gratitude to his family, players, assistant coaches, and friends for their support. There were indications of a potential retirement, especially when asked by the host if it was a farewell, Johnson responded, “One day at a time.”
For the “Puppy Bowl,” dog trainer and novelist Victoria Schade played a crucial role as the lead puppy trainer, ensuring a fun and conflict-free competition for the shelter pups. Artist Tahj “Queen Tahj” Williams created the Super Bowl theme art and logo, inspired by Black Masking culture of New Orleans, blending African and Native American influences in vibrant designs.
Musician Jon Batiste is set to perform the US national anthem at the Super Bowl, offering his rendition at the piano while remembering his late veteran grandfather. Actor Stephanie Nogueras will interpret the anthem in American sign language.
In New Orleans, Bourbon Street is bustling with Eagles and Chiefs fans celebrating, with heightened security measures in place after a recent truck attack. Over 2,000 law enforcement officers are ensuring the safety of the crowds during the festivities.
To enhance pedestrian access to the city’s historic French Quarter, metal barriers have been erected to block vehicles from entering Bourbon Street. Armed National Guardsmen and federal agents are stationed at each intersection for added security. The city has also installed new steel bollards along the popular blocks of Bourbon Street.
Jazz artist Trombone Shorty and Christian singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle will perform “America The Beautiful” before the game. Trombone Shorty, a product of New Orleans jazz, will join forces with Daigle, who hails from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Their performance is scheduled for 5:22 p.m. CST, just before the national anthem.
Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean are aiming for a special celebration on their shared Super Bowl birthdays. They will be the 15th and 16th players to play in a Super Bowl on their birthday, a feat last achieved by Green Bay’s Travis Williams and Ron Kostelnik in Super Bowl 2. R&B singer Ledisi, a New Orleans native, will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem, at around 4:46 p.m. CST.
If you’re an Eagles fan, history indicates that you should root for “Heads” in the coin toss, as it has been the prevailing result in recent Super Bowls. Kendrick Lamar is expected to perform “Not Like Us” during the halftime show alongside SZA. President Trump is en route to the game and is set to support both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
AP NFL Writer Rob Maaddi predicts a close game, favoring the Eagles over the Chiefs with a score of 31-30.
In the Pro Picks column, they are currently up 201-83. Kendrick Lamar has shared that fans tuning into his Super Bowl halftime show should expect a heavy dose of storytelling. Fresh off his recent Grammy wins, where he secured five awards, including record of the year and song of the year for “Not Like Us,” Lamar is all set to take on the headlining performance. Hailing from Compton, California, the artist is bringing forth what he describes as “L.A. Energy” to Louisiana for the big show.
Moving on to the lineup of pregame performances at the Super Bowl, Jon Batiste is set to lead a parade of local Louisiana talents as he belts out the national anthem in New Orleans just before kickoff. Batiste, known for his prowess as a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and former TV bandleader, whose music effortlessly blends R&B, hip-hop, swing, jazz, pop, and classical elements, will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the piano. With seven Grammy wins under his belt, Batiste, hailing from a storied New Orleans musical family, shared that his performance will be dedicated to his late veteran grandfather.
Additionally, R&B sensation Ledisi, a proud native of the city, will grace the stage with a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a powerful anthem often recognized as the Black national anthem. Trombone Shorty, who was nurtured in the vibrant New Orleans jazz scene, will join forces with Christian singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle, hailing from Lake Charles, for a heartfelt rendition of “America The Beautiful.”
Looking ahead to the game itself, the Chiefs, boasting a record of 17-2, are eyeing a historic three-peat as they square off against the Eagles, who stand at 17-3, at the Superdome. This matchup serves as a rematch from two years ago when Jalen Hurts came close to securing a championship for Philadelphia, only to be thwarted by Patrick Mahomes, who orchestrated a stunning rally to guide Kansas City to a 38-35 victory.
Mahomes, instrumental in securing an overtime win against San Francisco in another Super Bowl clash last year, now has his sights set on making history with a potential three-peat.
For more NFL updates, visit the official AP NFL site at https://apnews.com/NFL.
