Been right here, accomplished that. That is how the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles dealt with the annual extravaganza that kicks off Tremendous Bowl week.
NEW ORLEANS — Patrick Mahomes handled Tremendous Bowl opening evening like a two-minute drill, offering rapid-fire solutions to 1 query after one other. Travis Kelce handed on an inquiry about popping the query to Taylor Swift.
Been right here, accomplished that. That is how the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs dealt with the annual extravaganza that kicks off Tremendous Bowl week.
The Philadelphia Eagles had been right here two years in the past so that they weren’t fazed by the silliness both, although their most dynamic participant is new to the wild expertise that would overwhelm groups that aren’t used to the circus ambiance.
Saquon Barkley bought his first style of this made-for-television spectacle. Nick Sirianni obtained letters, and a kiss from Chad Johnson. Jalen Hurts even cracked a smile or two.
Earlier than Mahomes, Kelce and the Chiefs tackle Hurts, Barkley and the Eagles within the Tremendous Bowl on Sunday, they needed to deal with the media in waves.
Barkley wasn’t right here two years in the past when the Eagles misplaced to the Chiefs 38-35. He left the rival New York Giants to hitch a profitable crew and did his half with a historic season.
“That’s why me and my household made the choice to come back to Philadelphia, to have a chance to play within the Tremendous Bowl. And right here we’re,” Barkley mentioned.
The Chiefs have been right here 5 occasions prior to now six years so that they’re used to the unusual questions and odd requests which have turn into far too widespread on opening evening.
Mahomes picked NBA gamers for a mock soccer crew, selecting Russell Westbrook at quarterback and Anthony Edwards at vast receiver. He even requested the media for restaurant suggestions.
Kelce talked up Swift’s pop tarts and mentioned he hopes to match her vitality on stage when he is on the sector. However requested if he plans to suggest to his Grammy-winning celebrity girlfriend, Kelce pulled a Drew Rosenhaus: “Tremendous Bowl ring? Subsequent query.”
Gamers had been requested their favourite meals, colours, Kendrick Lamar songs and extra. A Mexican tv reporter gave Sirianni a stack of letters from followers. He additionally bought a kiss on the pinnacle from Johnson, the previous Bengals star also referred to as Ochocinco. The often stoic Hurts cracked up laughing when somebody tossed him a cookie — it was an errant throw. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, working for a tv community, fired questions at Darius Slay earlier than telling him to eat a “W.”
The Eagles went first, spending an hour speaking to hundreds of reporters from throughout the globe contained in the Superdome. The Chiefs got here later and obtained a loud ovation.
Media day has advanced from a daytime occasion on Tuesdays to a dwell, ticketed, prime-time showcase on nationwide tv. Greater than 6,000 media members from 26 nations had been accredited to cowl the Tremendous Bowl final 12 months in Las Vegas.
Sure, that is the place a feminine reporter confirmed up in a marriage costume and veil and proposed to Tom Brady in Arizona in 2008. He politely declined.
Soccer’s Xs and Os take a again seat for the primary evening.
The Huge Straightforward is internet hosting its eleventh massive sport and first for the reason that Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers within the Harbaugh Brothers Bowl in February 2013.
The Chiefs are chasing historical past, aiming to turn into the primary NFL crew to three-peat within the Tremendous Bowl period. The Eagles are looking for the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi trophy.
“We’re obsessive about profitable,” proprietor Jeffrey Lurie mentioned.
Each groups arrived Sunday and each participant and coach was obtainable to the media for one hour on Monday evening. A choose group of gamers, together with head coaches and quarterbacks, even have media periods on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Because of the hectic schedule, many of the preparation was accomplished final week. Recreation plans had been put in and each groups held regular practices as a result of this week gained’t be routine.
One one who’ll be beneath the microscope this week is Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who’s a frontrunner to turn into the pinnacle coach of the Saints. Moore can’t settle for the job till after the Tremendous Bowl however he needs to be getting ready to assemble a training workers whereas specializing in the duty at hand.
Staying centered can be a precedence for everybody on each groups. Avoiding distractions, particularly the primary evening, might set the tone for profitable all of it Sunday.
