NFL Films Caught Clear Video of Controversial Super Bowl Penalty

The penalty seemed to seal the Eagles’ fate against the Chiefs.

The Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl ended on a controversial note when a questionable holding penalty seemingly changed the game’s trajectory. However, a recently released video of the play provides the clearest view of what really happened on that third-and-8.

With less than two minutes left in the game, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to cap a nearly four-minute drive. However, officials would call Philadelphia cornerback James Bradberry for holding Smith-Schuster, giving the Chiefs a first down, an opportunity to drain the clock and set up a game-winning field goal, ultimately sealing the Eagles’ fate. 

Philadelphia faithful as well as neutral bystanders questioned the penalty, especially because Fox’s replay seemed to show Bradberry only placing his hand on Smith-Schuster’s back. However, an NFL Films video clearly shows the corner yanking the wideout’s jersey as Smith-Schuster began his route. 

Bradberry also admitted to holding Smith-Schuster in the post-Super Bowl press conference, saying, “I pulled on his jersey. They called it. I was hoping they would let it ride.” Smith-Schuster had his fun at the expense of Bradberry and Philadelphia on Valentine’s Day, making an e-gram of the corner that said “I’ll hold you when it matters most.” 

Though the video serves as evidence that the officials made the right call, Eagles and Chiefs fans will continue to argue about that penalty and others that seemingly defined Super Bowl LVII.