Super Bowl LIX was more than just a soccer game. With a resounding 40-22 win, the Philadelphia Eagles swept the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, cutting short the possibility of Patrick Mahomes' team achieving a historic three-time NFL championship. However, what happened on the field was only part of the spectacle. The presence of President Donald Trump, booing of Taylor Swift and a halftime protest turned the event into a reflection of America's political and social tensions.

Two years after losing in Super Bowl LVII to the same Chiefs, the Eagles returned with a renewed team and a thirst for revenge. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was the key piece of the victory, completing 221 air yards, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run. His leadership was evident from the first quarter, when he ran for the first touchdown of the game.

The Eagles defense was also crucial, coming up with six catches and two interceptions on Mahomes, who never managed to find his rhythm. "Credit to the Eagles, they played better than us from start to finish," Mahomes said. "Obviously the turnovers hurt, and I take all the blame for that. I just didn't play to my standard and I have to be better next time."

The Eagles closed the first half with a dominant 24-0 run, leaving the Chiefs with no answers. In the second half, Philadelphia's offense continued its dominance, piling up points to make it 34-0 before Kansas City responded with three late touchdowns. Nevertheless, the damage was done and the NFL had a new champion.

Trump vs. Swift

The Super Bowl was not only played out on the gridiron, but also in the stands and on social media. Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend the event, generating a divided reaction among the public. The president arrived at the stadium after playing golf with Tiger Woods in Florida and was greeted with applause when his image appeared on the Superdome screens.

However, the same courtesy was not extended to Taylor Swift, who was at the stadium to support her partner, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. When the camera panned to the singer, loud boos were heard from the crowd, which was interpreted as a political reaction, given that Swift openly supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Trump was quick to react on his TruthSocial platform, sharing a message that read, "Trump gets massive cheers at the Super Bowl while Taylor Swift gets booed - the world is healing!"

Gaza Strip

The halftime show was hosted by Kendrick Lamar, who delivered an energetic performance with a special appearance by singer SZA. Tennis icon Serena Williams was also spotted dancing on stage, adding a special touch to the event.

However, controversy soon followed: a protester managed to get past security and ran across the field waving a Palestinian flag with the words "Gaza" and "Sudan" on it. The incident occurred in the middle of a segment of the show, forcing organizers to temporarily cut the broadcast. The protest comes against the backdrop of rising international tensions and the debate over the U.S. position in global conflicts.

The Super Bowl is more than a sporting event. With an audience of 65,719 spectators and millions of viewers worldwide, the 2025 edition was marked not only by the Eagles' victory, but also by its political and social charge.

The White House released a speech in which Trump highlighted the unifying role of U.S. soccer: "Football is America's most popular sport --for good reason-- it fosters a sense of national unity, bringing families, friends, and fans together and strengthening communities." However, the reality showed a polarized country, where even a sporting event can become a political battleground.

In spite of everything, what was clear in this edition is that the Philadelphia Eagles were the big winners, proving that in the NFL, the past does not determine the future. As Jalen Hurts said after the game, "We were able to learn from the past, get some good new pieces and get over that hump." Way to go!

Whit information from AFP.