Super Bowl 2023: Controversial Penalty Against Eagles Paves Way for Chiefs' Win

(Photo : Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Image)
A disputed call allowed the Kansas Chiefs to run down the time for a late game-winning field goal at State Farm Stadium in Arizona during Super Bowl 57 on Sunday night drew criticism on social media.

A late defensive holding penalty in Super Bowl 57 has become the latest issue in the NFL.'

James Bradberry of the Philadelphia Eagles was penalized on a fade route to JuJu Smith-Schuster on third-and-8, but many believe the officials should not have blown the whistle.

The fact that the flag was thrown with less than two minutes remaining in the season's most crucial game sparked outrage.

Chiefs Win Super Bowl 57 With Last-Minute Penalty

The Kansas City Chiefs' drive continued, they were able to squander more time, and the Philadelphia Eagles didn't regain possession until Harrison Butker hit a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining; it was the game-winning field goal.

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs won their third Super Bowl with a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. In the third-highest-scoring Super Bowl in history, two outstanding quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts scored seven touchdowns.

A questionable penalty effectively finished the fight, though. With 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter and the score knotted at 35 each, Mahomes drove the Chiefs to the Eagles' 15-yard line, CBS Sports reported.

Mahomes attempted to pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster in the left corner of the end zone on third-and-8, but the pass was incomplete. Notwithstanding, there was yellow laundry on the field.

The Eagles CB, James Bradberry, was penalized for holding, giving the Chiefs a first down. Jerick McKinnon received a handoff from the 2-yard line following the penalty, and the Eagles were forced to utilize their last timeout with 1:36 remaining.

Mahomes then kneeled twice, and Harrison Butker converted a 27-yard game-winning field goal. Per Mirror, the Eagles had only eight seconds to score, but Hurts' Hail Mary pass fell incomplete.

The Eagles' field goal gave them a 27-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Kadarius Toney snagged a Mahomes ball and scored in the end zone to give the Chiefs a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles did not know when they were defeated, as Hurts scored his third touchdown on a quarterback sneak, setting a Super Bowl record for most touchdowns scored by a quarterback.

Social Media Outrage Sparks Over Controversial Penalty

A penalty issued against the Eagles allowed the Chiefs to run down the time and move into field goal position with seconds remaining, causing controversy in the final minutes of what NFL fans believed to be one of the finest games in recent memory.

Harrison Butker converted the game-winning field goal with eight seconds remaining to give the Chiefs a three-point advantage, which was enough to seal the victory and the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Nick Sirianni, head coach of the Eagles, stated on the penalty after the game, "It's not my job to make the call. Those guys have to do that in a split second," Sirianni said.

After the game, referee Carl Cheffers told PFWA reporter Lindsay Jones that the play was a "clear instance of a jersey grab that produced restriction." The penalty was a significant turning moment in Super Bowl 57 and will be argued for years to come.

After the end of the game, "the refs," "horrible," and "#rigged" were among the top trending topics on Twitter. LeBron James was among many who expressed their displeasure with the decision via online remarks, as per USA Today.

His hand on his back had no effect on his route! This game was too damn good for that call to dictate the outcome at the end. Damn! By the way I have no horse in the race. Just my professional opinion
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 13, 2023