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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Jeff Goulding
GLENDALE, Arizona — Super Sunday is here and Las Vegas is watching.
In 365 days, the hype and money will be flowing in the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium just west of the Strip when the National Football League stages Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas Feb. 11, 2024.
The Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee brought 40 people throughout Super Bowl week here in Phoenix to get a first-hand look at the preparations and logistics necessary to throw a massive bash.
Keep in mind that 311,000 visitors already pour into Las Vegas for Super Bowl weekend even when the Vegas market is not hosting a Super Bowl game. There’s another 100,000 people expected to visit Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58 next year.
Even five hours before the game, traffic was already snarled trying to get into the State Farm Stadium site, which is about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Phoenix. LVSportsBiz.com was surprised that there were no traffic control staffers on the road and at traffic signals — especially when host cities, tourism and committees raise tens of millions of dollars for NFL’s premier glamour event.
This is a high-security, high-traffic event. Yes, it draws tens of thousands of people. But how many people stay away from a host city specifically because of the intense security and traffic snarls?
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The Super Bowl is bigger than a sport.
It’s a national mid-winter party where everyone from Eagles fan/Hangover actor Bradley Cooper to NBA superstar LeBron James settled in at State Farm Stadium at their seats to watch the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs go at it for the NFL title. Interestingly enough, not only did Andy Reid coach both teams but he also drafted both Kelces — Jason and Travis — on each squad.
Their mom — Donna — sat with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Damar Hamlin say next to Donna Kelce, too.
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A beer sale that will not be denied. Beer sold amid a sea of humanity before the game.
Game on with attendance announced by the NFL at 67,827.
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One difference between Eagles and Chiefs fans than the Philly folks enjoy spelling eagles all the time.
Touchdown. No touchdown. Doesn’t matter. They scream “E-A-G-L-E-S” for no reason at all sometimes.
It’s 7-7 after one quarter.
And it was 14-14 in second quarter after the Chiefs scored on a fumble recovery.
Fans reacted to the touchdown that tied the game for KC.
Halftime: Philly 24 Chiefs 14
Halftime — Rihanna performed.
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Turf workers replaced divots on the playing surface and LVSportsBiz.com wonders if the “Sodfather,” George Toma, will answer questions at the postgame presser about the players slipping on the grass.
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The game ended in a dramatic fashion. Philly tied the game at 35 apiece with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Eagles fans rejoiced at the tie and were hoping their squad would win in OT.
But NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes had plenty of time to lead the Chiefs down the field and polish off the Eagles.
It included a patented Mahomes run from the pocket that set up the team in field goal range. Here’s what Mahomes had to say about that run in his postgame media availability.
When the Eagles were called for defensive holding, paving the way for the Chiefs to continue their drive, that nearly drained the game clock.
A short field goal was booted, the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in four seasons and Mahomes was Super Bowl MVP once again.
Reid said he’s coming back if the Chiefs allow that. Listen to Reid talk about his time in Philadelphia.
So, we might just see Mr. Reid in the season’s ultimate game in good ol’ Las Vegas one year from now.