Philadelphia Phillies star vents his frustration at divisive decision by referees against the Eagles in Super Bowl
The NFL season concluded with the Kansas City Chiefs beating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a closely fought encounter. Supporting the Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Bryson Scott showed his anger at a controversial call by the referees in the fourth quarter.
Bryson Scott has been with the Phillies since 2019 after getting picked in the draft. He made his debut in the 2022 season and returned scores of .234/.295/.358 in 427 at bats. Unsurprisingly, he was supporting the other Philadelphia team, which was making its first Super Bowl appearance in six years.
In a crucial call in the last quarter, a third-down play from Kansas City's QB Mahomes was incomplete. However, a flag was raised and the decision was overturned as Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called for a defensive holding call. This continued the drive for the Chiefs.
The call was hotly debated as fans and analysts commented that the hold by Bradberry on Juju Smith was not enough to be penalized. Scott quickly commented after the game, claiming publicly that the officials ruined another game.
The striped shirts ruin another game.. Weird.
James Bradberry gets called for a holding penalty late in Eagles-Chiefs.
Good or bad call? 🤔
https://t.co/knnzKzVq7Q
The call was critical because it allowed the Chiefs to get a first down instead of having to kick a field goal and then kick back to the Eagles with time to spare. It set up Mahomes at the 11-yard line, who took a knee as the Chiefs had already run out the clock. With eight seconds remaining, Harrison Butker hit a 27-yard field goal.
Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts couldn't convert his one-in-a-million, miracle pass as the game ended in favor of Kansas City. It gave the Chiefs their second Vince Lombardi trophy in three years. It also gave Mahomes redemption for their 2021 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback takes full responsibility for holding call
Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, after the match, claimed that he took full responsibility for the illegal holding. He accepted that he tugged at Juju Smith's jersey.
“It was a holding. I tugged his jersey,” Bradberry said. “I was hoping they would let it slide.”
Although fans were convinced that there was contact made with Bradberry, the question remained whether it was enough to call a flag and a first down so close to the finish line.
James Bradberry takes accountability for his controversial penalty. “It was a holding. I tugged on the jersey.” https://t.co/YqT7wsAzMY
Regardless, the Philadelphia side wouldn't be happy having blown away the lead. Much to their defensive dismay, the Eagles couldn't stop a drive from the Chiefs in the fourth quarter. This was the Eagles' third loss in the Super Bowl. Their last appearance ended in a win against Tom Brady's New England Patriots back in 2017.