NFL Fans, Players React to Holding Call on Eagles During Chiefs’ Final Drive

The reactions poured in on social after Eagles cornerback James Bradberry drew a costly penalty while defending Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

A costly holding call against the Eagles late in Super Bowl LVII evoked quite a reaction from NFL fans on social media, as the Chiefs capitalized on the opportunity to pull out a 38–35 victory in Glendale.

With the game tied, 35-35, with just under two minutes remaining, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked to convert on a third-and-8 with a pass attempt to receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Initially, the play appeared to end with an incompletion after the ball sailed over Smith-Schuster’s head with Eagles cornerback James Bradberry in coverage.

However, the situation quickly turned dire for Philadelphia after the officials threw a penalty flag on Bradberry for defensive holding. The huge call gave the Chiefs a first down and allowed them to run the clock down, setting up kicker Harrison Butker for a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left in regulation to seal the win.

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Thoughts on that holding call? 🤔pic.twitter.com/LqEH8zgey2

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 13, 2023

Given the timing and circumstances surrounding the penalty, several fans and NFL players—past and present—took to Twitter to debate whether or not the flag should’ve been thrown. And while those debates will likely rage on in the days and weeks to come, Sunday night’s result will forever be remembered as victory that brought Kansas City its second Super Bowl in four seasons.

Or Defensive Holding. That call decided the game.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 13, 2023

Are you kidding me? Another SUPER suspect holding call deciding the end of the SuperBowl 🧐🤔

— CJ Uzomah (@cj_uzomah) February 13, 2023

Usually don’t get involved in ripping referees but HATE that defensive holding call on Bradberry. 35-35 late on a 3rd down incompletion on what was a marginal foul???
Let em play man!!
Bad call-hate that is what many will take away from this game.

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 13, 2023

I didn’t love the holding call but I understand why they called it.

That call isn’t why the Eagles lost.

The fumble for a td and the Chiefs O-line was tough to overcome.

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) February 13, 2023

I gotta keep it G and I’m a wide out to ❤️ I have to admit that wasn’t a holding call.. under 5yds as well… that call for sure dictate the outcome of the game…

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) February 13, 2023

Softest holding call I’ve seen in some time. Might cost a team a Super Bowl.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 13, 2023

*This* Super Bowl getting decided on *that* holding call is a crime against football.

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 13, 2023

What a game. Unreal Super Bowl but to see it decided on that horrible holding call is a disgrace. Can’t make that call at that point of the game. Joke

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) February 13, 2023