Joanna Yu ‘25, Sports Writer

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes raises the Lombardi Trophy. (Photo courtesy of PBS)

The Kansas City Chiefs are the Super Bowl champions once again after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the longest duration championship game in history. Despite facing a 10-point deficit, Patrick Mahomes, who is now titled the best quarterback (QB) of his generation, led the Chiefs to a comeback win in overtime for his third Super Bowl victory. The win has crowned the Kansas City Chiefs as a new dynasty and the first team in 19 years to become back-to-back Super Bowl champions. 

“With all the adversity we’ve been through this season to come through tonight … I’m proud of the guys,” said Mahomes during the on-field interview. The win makes Mahomes the second-youngest QB to win three Super Bowls, and the fourth starting QB to do so. Having earned his third Most Valuable Player award this year, Mahomes has proved himself to be one of the greatest in the National Football League’s history. 

Both teams had a slow start in the first quarter with neither team scoring. However, the Niners soon led by three in the second quarter following a 55-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody. The play was then followed by a trick play touchdown completed with wide receiver Jauan Jennings’s pass to running back Christian McCaffrey, who rushed to the end zone for 21 yards, to put the Niners ahead by 10 points. The Chiefs finally got on the board with a 28-yard field goal from kicker Harrison Butker. The Niners ultimately ended the first half leading, 13-10. During the third quarter, the Chiefs turned things around. Butker first made a 57-yard field goal, the longest in Super Bowl history. The kick also broke the record made by Moody just two quarters before. Mahomes then completed a 16-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a touchdown, making a statement for the offense and putting the team in the lead for the first time all game. The Chiefs won the game in 13 plays in overtime, with Mahomes delivering a quick pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. as he ran to the pylon. The Chiefs stormed onto the field as red and yellow confetti fell on the turf. Later, however, Hardman admits that he had little idea of what he had accomplished: “I’m not going to lie, I blacked out. I [saw] Pat running towards me, and I’m thinking, ‘We just won.’ I understand now and after that. The rest is history.” 

Although the team didn’t have the strongest start, Mahomes delivered one of the best Super Bowl finishes that will be remembered for years to come. During the trophy ceremony, the quarterback described the game as a reflection of their entire season, stating, “It was the defense just keeping us in there and then the offense making plays when it counted.”  

Despite being personally disappointed, Newark Academy senior Molly Egan ‘24, a fellow NFL fan, was impressed by the Chief’s monumental win. “I think the Chiefs deserved it because they played really well in the playoffs and beat the best teams while the 49ers were kind of shaky towards the end of the season,” she says.

Despite having a sluggish start to the season, The Chiefs raised their level against the higher seeded teams to persevere in the playoffs. After the bye week, Kansas City lost four of their first six games and struggled with offensive miscues. The Chiefs averaged 21.8 points per game, being ranked 15th in the League and the lowest finish in Mahomes’ career. After a disappointing beginning to the regular season, the team managed to win the last two games to end with an 11-6 record. Still, that record is the worst result that the team has experienced since Mahomes became a starter. With that, many fans had written off the Chiefs as a favorite before the playoffs. Nonetheless, Mahomes strengthened the offense during the playoffs and overcame the toughest opponents. In their path to Super Bowl glory, the Chiefs defeated the three favorites in the bracket: Buffalo, Baltimore, and San Francisco. “The Kansas City Chiefs are never underdogs. Just know that,” Mahomes said in his ceremony speech, after completing a historical run that marks the most challenging season that he has had yet.