This Sunday the grand final of the American football tournament will be played with the long-awaited match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The local fans have shown their support for the Eagles, who seek to prevent the Chiefs from achieving their third consecutive championship, a feat never before achieved in the NFL.

The Chiefs have dominated the league in recent years, generating divided reactions among sports fans. While their fans celebrate the possibility of building a new dynasty, others see them as the team to beat. The reception at the Superdome reflected this perception, as the entrance of Patrick Mahomes and his team was met with boos.

Mahomes, a three-time NFL champion, minimized the reactions and stated that the team is focused on the game and maintaining its competitive style. "It's not about being the villains, but about continuing to play with passion and discipline," said the Chiefs quarterback.

Donald Trump at the Super Bowl

President Donald Trump will become the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl when he witnesses the NFL final in New Orleans this Sunday.

As reported by CNN citing a White House official, Trump will be present at the Caesars Superdome, where the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson may also attend the event.

If his presence is confirmed, Trump would be the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, the largest sporting event in the United States. In the past, other leaders have had symbolic participation, such as George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, who tossed the coin in previous editions.

Fox, the network that will broadcast the Super Bowl, will also air a pre-recorded interview with Trump during the pre-game.

Trump's relationship with the NFL has been complex. In 2017, he sparked controversy by criticizing players who kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. His comments sparked a wave of protests around the league and clashes with commissioner Roger Goodell.

Goodell recently reaffirmed the NFL's commitment to diversity and inclusive hiring practices, a stance that has raised tensions with the Trump administration. "Our efforts are critical to attracting the best talent to the league, on and off the field," Goodell said.

In another notable change, the NFL has decided not to use the "End Racism" slogan on the field for this edition of the Super Bowl. Instead, the messages "Choose Love" and "It Takes All of Us" will be visible in the end zones. An NFL spokesperson explained that these messages reflect recent tragic events in the United States.

Comparisons to the Patriots

Already in relation to the game, Kansas City's dominance has led to comparisons with Tom Brady's New England Patriots, who for almost two decades were the most successful team and, at the same time, one of the most questioned by fans. rivals. Mahomes acknowledged having felt the same way in his youth when he followed the Dallas Cowboys. "When I was a kid, I didn't like the Patriots because they always won, but over time I learned to appreciate their greatness," he said.

The Chiefs' success has been accompanied by questions about alleged favorable refereeing decisions. During Media Day, Travis Kelce responded to questions about these theories and expressed his discomfort with the topic. The tight end, also known for his relationship with singer Taylor Swift, hinted that the constant attention on this issue could be affecting team morale.

The debate over officiating impartiality is not new in the NFL. Dominant teams have been the subject of similar accusations in the past, and Kansas City has been no exception. However, the Chiefs maintain their stance that their success is due to their performance on the field.

With the Eagles as contenders, the NFL final is shaping up to be a strategic duel between two franchises that already met in the 2023 Super Bowl. On that occasion, the Chiefs won a close game.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts stressed the importance of staying focused and learning from the previous loss. "Every game is different, we have worked to improve and we are ready to compete," he said.

The match will define whether Kansas City consolidates its status as the new dynasty of the NFL or whether Philadelphia manages to reverse the result and take center stage in the league. The pressure is on both teams and expectations grow around the outcome of the greatest spectacle in American football.

With information from AFP