By Willie Spears, Guest Columnist
The 57th (LVII) Super Bowl was Sunday between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The American Football Conference champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football Conference champion Philadelphia Eagles, 38–35.
Both teams finished the regular season with a league-best 14–3 record. The Chiefs were playing in their fifth overall Super Bowl, having played previously in Super Bowls I, IV, LIV and LV. The Eagles were looking for their second Super Bowl victory after Super Bowl LII, having also appeared in XV and XXXIX.
Three of the previous five Super Bowls had featured either the Chiefs or the Eagles, though this was the first time the two teams would meet in the championship. This was not the only “first” in the big game. In 2013, two brothers coached against each other for the first time in Super Bowl history: Jim and John Harbaugh, head coaches of the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
This year, two brothers played against each other for the first time. Jason Kelce is the starting center for the Eagles, and Travis Kelce, one of the best tight ends in the history of the National Football League, plays for the Chiefs.
Another first happened right before kickoff on Super Bowl Sunday. For the first time in NFL history, the U.S. Navy flyover was piloted entirely by women, led by Lt. Peggy Dente. The historic flyover was right after the National Anthem. Lt. Arielle Ash and Lt. Saree Moreno led the diamond formation.
This Super Bowl was also the first time two teams featured starting African American quarterbacks.
February is Black History Month, and these two competitors made all Americans proud.
I encourage you to be the first. Be the first to apologize. Be the first to forgive. Be the first to initiate. Be the first to graduate from high school, basic training or college. Be the first to start your own business. Be the first not to go to jail. Be the first to get married. Be the first to love and not hate. Be the first.
“Now Hiring” is a weekly article written by author and public speaker Willie Spears, a Northwestern alumnus. He has written 13 books and travels around the country, adding value to the lives of others through his books and dynamic presentations. Learn more at www.williespears.com.