Super Bowl opening night returns with energetic atmosphere

PHOENIX (AP) — Nick Sirianni answered questions on Rocky, Santa Claus and even which of his gamers on the Philadelphia Eagles he’d wish to date his 5-year-old daughter when she grows up.

Welcome to Tremendous Bowl opening night time the place soccer speak offers method to the wild and wacky.

You are reading: Super Bowl opening night returns with energetic atmosphere

The circus environment that kicks off the NFL’s largest week returned Monday for the primary time since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic pressured groups to satisfy the media on video conferences the previous two seasons.

Sirianni and the Eagles took the stage first at Footprint Middle, residence of the Phoenix Suns. “Fly, Eagles, Fly” chants greeted gamers and coaches earlier than they spent an hour answering wide-ranging questions from greater than 2,000 media members.

Pink-clad Chiefs followers took over the sector when Kansas Metropolis got here out, turning it into an indoor model of Arrowhead Stadium.

It was a brand new expertise for most of the Eagles, who’ve seven holdovers from the staff that beat New England within the Tremendous Bowl 5 years in the past.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are right here for the third time in 4 years in order that they already bought a style of this media extravaganza in Miami in 2020.

For the document, Sirianni loves the Rocky films. He identifies with Sylvester Stallone’s fictional film character, who’s a part of Philadelphia’s cloth as a lot because the cheesesteak.

“I reside and coach within the best sports activities city in America,” Sirianni mentioned. “It means a lot to everyone there. That’s what you need. Once you’re a little bit child taking part in in a peewee soccer recreation, you need everyone to see you. You need your followers to adore it. You need them to be there. You need them carrying inexperienced on Friday. You need them to be throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. You wish to put expertise on show in entrance of the best sports activities city in America. I like the truth that my youngsters are rising up in a sports activities city the place soccer means a lot as a result of soccer means a lot to me.”

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, an AP NFL MVP finalist, drew the biggest crowd within the early portion. Reporters staked out his spot about an hour earlier than the occasion began. The primary query got here from Corridor of Fame huge receiver Michael Irvin, an NFL Community analyst.

“I really feel prefer it’s not a time to mirror,” Hurts mentioned about his journey to stardom. “We got here right here to complete the job.”

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Chiefs coach Andy Reid bought quite a few questions on his time in Philadelphia and meals. The cheeseburger fanatic wouldn’t title his favourite metropolis to eat exterior of Kansas Metropolis, Inexperienced Bay and Philly.

“They received’t allow you to again in if I do,” he mentioned.

Total, opening night time wasn’t fairly as outrageous as previous years.

In Arizona in 2008, a feminine reporter confirmed up carrying a white wedding ceremony costume and veil and proposed to Tom Brady, who was making an attempt to guide the Patriots to the primary 19-0 season in NFL historical past.

One radio host walked round shirtless carrying a barrel. A tv reporter from Mexico requested folks to play pin the tail on the donkey after which requested them to toss foam footballs right into a basket. A few of the Eagles cheerleaders participated.

In any other case, it was extra about odd questions than odd appears to be like.

Somebody requested Mahomes and Sirianni if this was a “must-win recreation.”

Each mentioned sure in probably the most well mannered method attainable.

“The job is just not completed,” mentioned Mahomes, who can also be an MVP finalist.

Mahomes bought the loudest ovation of the night time.

Oh, his favourite tune of all time is Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” Rihanna would be the halftime performer however he received’t be watching.

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“Coach Reid mentioned if we go on the market to look at to only hold strolling,” Mahomes mentioned.

The Eagles (16-3) and Chiefs (16-3) meet on Sunday, each aiming for his or her second Tremendous Bowl title inside 5 years.

Maybe probably the most anxious individual within the stadium might be Donna Kelce, mother of All-Execs Jason and Travis.

Donna Kelce, who took half in among the night time’s festivities on stage, wore a jersey that was half-green for Jason’s Eagles and half-red for Travis’ Chiefs. She had No. 87 for Travis on the entrance and No. 62 for Jason on the again.

Who’s the largest momma’s boy?

Donna held up a photograph of Travis.

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Observe Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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