(CNN) With a 35-35 tie in Super Bowl LVII and just 1:54 left, the Kansas City Chiefs faced a critical third deficit in Philadelphia Eagles territory to continue their drive and run some time before they attempted a game-winning field goal.
Chiefs quarterback — and newly anointed NFL MVP — Patrick Mahomes waited and threw a pass toward the end zone toward JuJu Smith-Schuster, only for it to fall onto the Arizona turf.
Just when it looked like the drive was going to end and Kansas City would have to kick a field goal, giving the Eagles the opportunity for a final drive with about 90 seconds remaining – plenty of time for Jalen Hurts and company – a one yellow flag fluttered onto the field by an official to indicate a penalty.
Officials ruled that Eagles cornerback James Bradberry Smith-Schuster held, giving the Chiefs an automatic first down and allowing them to shorten the clock to 11 seconds before kicking the go-ahead field goal — essentially the win wrapping.
Immediately afterwards, the call for a penalty was questioned by the TV announcers.
“On that stage, I think you let them play, end that thing,” said Fox broadcaster Greg Olsen, a former star tight end. “I don’t like this call.”
And on social media, it was questioned by many, as people vilified it as an effective decision-maker in the NFL’s biggest game.
“Sorry, but I don’t like this call! Not for the Super Bowl man!” NBA legend LeBron James said on Twitter.
In a separate tweet, James said: “His hand on his back didn’t affect his route! This game was too damn good for this call to dictate the outcome at the end. Damned! By the way, I don’t have a horse in the race. Just my professional opinion.”
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes called it was “such a shitty way to decide a Super Bowl”.
Former Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant called that “that was not a hold call…even under 5 yards…this call will certainly determine the outcome of the game…”
NFL commentator Kirk Herbstreit said he hates the call at this stage of the game.
“Don’t usually get involved in ripping umpires but HATE that defensive hold call on Bradberry. He wrote on Twitter.
“Let ’em play man!! Bad call hate, that’s gonna take a lot of this game.”
But from the players involved in the game and Sunday’s officials, it was clear to them afterwards that the game would be on hold.
“It was a holding,” Bradberry told reporters after the Eagles’ 38-35 loss. “I pulled on his shirt. I was hoping they would let it slide.”
The best photos from the Super Bowl 2023
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, February 12. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gets dodged with Gatorade after win
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reacts after the game.
Confetti falls after the final whistle.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce hugs his brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce during post-game celebrations. This was the first Super Bowl in history where two brothers played on opposite teams.
Mahomes celebrates at the end of the game.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker kicks the field goal that turned out to be game-changing.
Late in the fourth quarter, a pass flies over the head of Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called up to keep the game going and set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal.
Hurts score a two-point conversion to keep the game at 35-35 in the fourth quarter. Hurts finished the game with three rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown.
Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore runs in for a touchdown that gives Kansas City a 34-27 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney made a punt in the fourth quarter for a Super Bowl-record 65 yards. Moore got his touchdown shortly after.
Mahomes celebrates with Toney after they connected with a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. After the extra point, the Chiefs had their first lead of the game, 28-27.
Toney goes into the end zone on his touchdown.
An Eagles fan watches the game in the second half.
Hurts hands off running back Kenneth Gainwell in the second half.
Mahomes is hit by Jordan Davis on a passing play in the third quarter.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni gestures in the second half.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco runs for a 1-yard touchdown on the opening second-half drive.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert collects a pass late in the first half. Philadelphia led 24-14 at halftime.
Mahomes reacts on the bench after appearing to aggravate an ankle injury late in the first half. However, he came back early in the second half.
Mahomes was in pain after that tackle from TJ Edwards.
Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith attempts a pass late in the first half. Officials reviewed the game and decided it wasn’t a catch.
Hurts runs for a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter. It was Hurt’s second rushing touchdown of the first half, and the Eagles led 21-14 after the extra point.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (No. 32) is chasing a Hurts fumble that he ran back for a 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Hurts throws a pass in the second quarter.
Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown catches a 45-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter.
Butker missed a 42-yard field goal attempt in the first half. It bounced off the left post.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is seen in the second quarter.
Travis Kelce catches an 18-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. After the extra point it was a 7:7 draw.
Kelce celebrates with JuJu Smith-Schuster after the touchdown.
Fans are watching the action in the first quarter.
Mahomes rolls out of his pocket on his team’s opening drive.
Hurts scores with a quarterback sneak to give the Eagles an early lead.
Donna Kelce, the mother of Travis and Jason Kelce, wears a jacket showing her support for her two sons’ teams.
The Chiefs take the field before the game.
Mahomes is cheered on before the game.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin walks on the touchline before kickoff. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on January 2 during a game against Cincinnati and collapsed on the field.
The Eagles enter the field.
An Eagles fan wearing a cheesesteak hat gestures for the camera during a pregame warm-up.
Sheryl Lee Ralph performs “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the game.
Fans watch as the teams warm up for the game.
Hurts runs onto the field to warm up.
Kansas City Chiefs fans gather before a Super Bowl Watch party in the Power and Light entertainment district.
Smith-Schuster – who finished the Super Bowl with seven catches and 53 receiving yards – said there was “100%” holding the game.
“My way is to hit in, hit out again. I mean Bradberry is a good player but you know I feel like one day the call will come,” he told reporters.
Referee Carl Cheffers told pool reporter Lindsay Jones afterwards that there was “no debate” as to whether or not there was a penalty.
“The receiver went inside and tried to get outside,” Cheffers said. “The defender grabbed the jersey with his right hand and prevented it from releasing to the outside, so we went for defensive holding.”
Whatever the merits of the decision itself, Eagles center Jason Kelce knew it wasn’t the sole fault of Philadelphia’s loss.
“You called it, and here’s how it goes. I’ve said this before, I’ll never be someone to blame officials or anything. It’s a tough job. You make a call. It is what it is,” he told reporters after the game.
“There were several other moments in that game to take care of business and I think we were close. We could have won that game without the officials doing anything… without that decision being the deciding factor.”
Despite the clarity of those involved in the game, there is debate on social media and beyond as to whether or not the Super Bowl was decided by a phone call.