Superbowl

Written by Alay Galvankar

February 2024

This February, over 120 million people tuned in to watch this year’s Super Bowl. Similar to four years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs took on the San Francisco 49ers, but this time in Las Vegas’ new Allegiant Stadium. 

The first quarter started poorly, with both teams tied 0–0. Finally, into the first seven seconds of the second quarter, 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody put the 49ers on the board, scoring three points. After going back and forth, the 49ers took a two-score lead after George Kittle, star tight end, scored a touchdown moving the 49ers up to 10–0. Luckily for the Chiefs, with just a few seconds to spare in the first half, kicker Harrison Butker cut the 49ers lead down to just seven. The first half came to a close as both teams resided back to their designated locker rooms. 

At halftime, the stars came out. The halftime show was an electrifying spectacle that left audiences captivated and buzzing with excitement. With a lineup that featured some of the biggest names in the music industry, including superstar performers Usher, Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am., Ludacris, and Lil Jon, expectations were sky-high, and they certainly didn't disappoint. After around half-an-hour of songs and a first-half recap, the players were ready to hit the field for half number two. 

Harrison Butker started the second half off with a 57 yard field goal, a Super Bowl record, to cut the score to 10–6. Very soon after, Chief’s Marquez Valdes-Scantling scored a touchdown to take the lead 10–13. 

In the fourth, the 49ers battled back, regained the lead after a touchdown, but a costly missed field goal, 16–13. Harrison Butker, a very common name now, tied up the game 16–16, but 49ers’ Jake Moody, pushed the 49ers back ahead again after a late 4th field goal. With just under two minutes to go in quarter four, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense rushed down the field to let Harrison Butker tie the game up with six seconds to go in regulation. The score is 19–19. 

For the second time in NFL history, the Super Bowl has gone to overtime, and the 49ers have won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. A touchdown here ends it, but the Chiefs' defense was strong enough to hold them to just three. Now, the Chiefs have the ball; they must either score a field goal to keep their hopes alive or a touchdown if they want to taste victory early. With six seconds to go and the game on the line, Patrick Mahomes threw a three-yard pass to Mecole Hardman to claim his third Super Bowl title and the Chiefs’ fourth! ❧