Rollerblades of glory
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Good morning!
Is it too late to make the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday? Grab yourself a strong caffeinated beverage (or just re-watch Usher’s halftime performance) and dig into how last night’s 25–22 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers went down.
— Kansas City Chiefs quarterback (QB) Patrick Mahomes, reminding the world that the back-to-back Super Bowl champs are just getting started. Terrifying.
How it happened
🏈 Big reputation, big reputation
The GIST: For the second straight season, the Kansas City Chiefs are your Super Bowl champs. KC overcame a low-scoring first half and some flaring tempers to become the first team since the 2003–04 New England Patriots to repeat as champions, hoisting their third Vince Lombardi Trophy in five seasons. The dynasty has officially arrived.
How it happened: After a snoozy three-and-a-half quarters, both KC’s Patrick Mahomes and SF’s Brock Purdy led impressive drives to send the game into overtime (OT) knotted at 19.
- SF scored a field goal (FG) to open OT, but Mahomes worked his late-game magic and responded by tossing the game-winning touchdown (TD) to wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
- Kansas City was down by as many as 10 in the first half, but they were never out, ultimately putting up 22 points after halftime en route to the dub. Fighting for their right to party, indeed.
The MVP: You guessed it…Patrick Mahomes. Playoff Patty nabbed his third career Super Bowl MVP honors and became just the third player to win at least three MVP awards, joining Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Mahomes threw for 333 yards and two TDs, none bigger than the OT clincher.
Zooming out: The scariest part about this KC dynasty? Their reign doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Retirement rumors for head coach Andy Reid and tight end (TE) Travis Kelce aside, KC continues to find ways to win on the back of 28-year-old Mahomes. Truly magical.
The entertainment
🎤 Let it burn
The GIST: From Beyoncé’s BarBey drop to Usher’s wheely cool hidden talent, here are the top moments that captured the internet’s attention in between the gridiron action.
This Barbie’s from Houston: Iconic as ever, Beyoncé announced Renaissance Part II during a Verizon commercial. Queen Bey’s giving cowgirl, shifting from dance to country with newly released singles “TEXAS HOLD’EM” and “16 CARRIAGES.”
Special guests rock the halftime show: Usher brought six (!!!) friends to his halftime performance, duetting with Alicia Keys and her red piano, handing the floor to H.E.R. for a slamming guitar solo, and reuniting with Lil Jon and Ludacris for an epic performance of the ultimate millennial anthem, “Yeah!” Take that and rewind it back, please.
- And in between strip teases and costume changes, Usher brought out even more tricks, rollerblading while singing his greatest hits. Didn’t have that on our bingo card.
Taylor Swift’s unapologetic girl gang: Miss Tay’s suite was studded with star power, as she cheered on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, with pals Blake Lively, Ice Spice, and Lana Del Rey, all while rocking a varsity bomber jacket from Erin Andrews’ line, WEAR. And that’s on girl power.
Everybody wants to be a pop star: Tom Brady, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon won the unofficial commercial contest, auditioning for a Dunkin’ boy band and making New England’s wildest dreams come true.
By the numbers
🔢 1, 2, 3…let’s go!
57: The distance in yards of KC kicker Harrison Butker’s third-quarter FG — the longest in Super Bowl history. The feat notably came just after SF kicker Jake Moody set the record with a 55-yarder. Tit meet tat.
61,629: The announced attendance in Sin City last night, making it the least attended Super Bowl ever, outside of the pandemic season.
Second: SF’s Jauan Jennings became the second wide receiver in Super Bowl history to throw a TD and the second player in a Super Bowl game to throw and receive a TD. Get you a player who can do it all.
15: The number of playoff wins QB Patrick Mahomes has in his short seven-year career. Knowing the 28-year-old, there’s a lot more to come for the kingdom.
$9,850: The average ticket price for last night’s game, making it the most expensive Super Bowl in history. That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas.
Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
🏀 What to know
No. 2 Iowa women’s hoops superstar Caitlin Clark is now just eight points away from breaking the all-time NCAA women’s scoring record after her Hawkeyes suffered a stunning 82–79 loss to unranked Nebraska yesterday. The chase continues.
🎤 What to get ready for
The Tortured Poets Department. It's unclear how she managed to squeeze out another album, but Taylor Swift is gifting the world new music on April 19th. Something to look forward to amid the post-Super Bowl blues.
❣️ What to celebrate
Galentine’s Day. Created by Leslie Knope, tomorrow’s holiday is the perfect excuse to celebrate the women in your life. Don't forget the waffles.
💌 What to subscribe to
The Living Better newsletter from Love What Matters. Upgrade your Mondays and Fridays with their hand-picked captivating stories.
Question of the Day
As you read, the entertainment was top notch during last night's Super Bowl, including the commercials. So, we want to know which one you liked best. Watch our top picks below then vote for or reply with your fave.
Victoria and David Beckham forgetting
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