The Pre- and Post-Game Performances
Before the Big Game even began, Miley Cyrus got fans fired up by performing during the TikTok Tailgate. She sang everything from "Bad Reputation" with Joan Jett to "White Wedding" with Billy Idol. The 28-year-old singer also fought back the tears during a heartfelt performance of "Wrecking Ball." Later on, Cyrus took the stage again for Verizon's Big Concert for Small Businesses, an after-party show to support small businesses in need amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Tiffany Haddish, Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Christina Aguilera, Eric Church, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan and Luke Bryan also took part.
Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan Sing the National Anthem
The Grammy nominated artists kicked off the Super Bowl with a duet of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
H.E.R. Sings “America the Beautiful”
Afterwards, the "Focus" star rocked out on her guitar and belted out the words to "America the Beautiful."
Amanda Gorman Recites Poem Honoring Coin Toss Captains
Just weeks after she made headlines for her poem at the 2021 presidential inauguration, the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate paid tribute to the three honorary coin toss captains: U.S. Marine veteran, James Martin; educator Trimaine Davis; and ICU nurse manager Suzie Dorner. "Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art & our country, because it means we're thinking imaginatively about human connection even when we feel siloed. I'll honor 3 heroes who exemplify the best of this effort. Here's to them, to poetry, & to a #SuperBowl like no other," she tweeted, later adding, "I also can't reiterate how exciting it is for me that others are excited to see poetry at a football game. What a time to be alive."
Sarah Thomas Makes History
According to NFL Officiating, Sarah Thomas is the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl.
Celebrities Star in Commercials
Of course, it wouldn't be the Super Bowl without the star-studded commercials. This year, fans saw Dan Levy, Paul Rudd, Drake, Cardi B, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Amy Schumer, Snoop Dogg, Nick Jonas, Anthony Anderson, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet and more celebrities appear in ads. Watch a few of the spots here.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski Break Records
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the lead early in the game. In the last minute of the first quarter, the Buccaneers' quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski scored the first touchdown of the game. According to NFL Research, they broke the record for most touchdown connections in postseason history, surpassing Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. The duo kept the momentum going with a second touchdown in the second quarter.
Big Stop by the Kansas City Chiefs
While it was a tough night for the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the team did have some good plays. The defense blocked the Buccaneers' running back Ronald Jones II from entering the end zone on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter.
Lots of Penalties
It's no secret the penalties against the Kansas City Chiefs hurt the team. One penalty negated an interception Brady threw while a pass interference call gave the Buccaneers another opportunity to throw a touchdown pass and score. In fact, NFL Research noted the Chiefs' 95 penalty yards in the first half of the game were the most penalty yards against any team in the first half of a game all season.
Some viewers thought these calls didn't align with what fans had seen earlier in the season. As former NFL referee and NBC sports analyst Terry McAulay tweeted, "Neither defensive hold called on KC comes close to the standard we saw the entire season for that call all season and certainly not what we saw in TB/GB." Others, however, felt like the calls were fair.
"You can talk about the penalties," Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark said, per USA Today. "I ain't even going to play that part. It's a fair win."
In this photo, Brady and Tyrann Mathieu can be seen exchanging a few words after a penalty was called.
The Weeknd Performs During the Super Bowl Halftime Show
The artist sang a number of his hits, including "The Hills," "Can't Feel My Face," "I Feel It Coming" and "Blinding Lights." The viral performance even sparked some memes.
Fan Runs on Field in the Middle of the Game
The players weren't the only ones running. During the last quarter, a fan interrupted the game by sprinting across the field.
Tom Brady Celebrates Buccaneers Win & MVP Title With His Kids
After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a victory and Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time in his career, the sports star celebrated the major moment with his children: John, 13; Benjamin, 11; and Vivian, 8. He also left Buccaneers fans with some hope for next year, noting, "We're coming back."