GLENDALE, Ariz. — Nobody ever wants to see a championship come down to an officiating decision, especially if the call is missed. And during Sunday’s Super Bowl 57, many fans thought exactly that had happened — a missed call to help decide a championship.
James Bradberry would disagree.
The Eagles cornerback was called for a holding penalty late in the fourth quarter, which gave the Chiefs a first down and ultimately led to them kicking the game-winning field goal. At the time, it seemed like an awfully weak call with such major implications. But after the game, Bradberry wasn’t going to join the chorus of people complaining about officiating.
Instead, he said the refs made the right call.
HUGE HOLDING CALL pic.twitter.com/rvWkQmG5yV
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliTSP) February 13, 2023
James Bradberry takes accountability for his controversial penalty. “It was a holding. I tugged on the jersey.” pic.twitter.com/YqT7wsAzMY
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 13, 2023
Speaking to reporters after the game, Bradberry offered some stunning honesty and took responsibility for the controversial penalty. He said that he grabbed JuJu Smith-Schuster’s jersey. “It was holding,” he said.
Obviously, that play will replay in Bradberry’s head for a long time. But at the same time, it takes special accountability to admit he held Smith-Schuster when deflecting blame would have been far easier.
Fans respected how Bradberry handled the aftermath of that penalty.
This was how Twitter reacted
Much respect https://t.co/ABJGjwFKKi
— Guy’s Snacks (@GuysSnacks) February 13, 2023
Good on him, man. https://t.co/cCOh5DYHrM
— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) February 13, 2023
That’s tough to do. Credit to him and his character https://t.co/dmHqBY93YG
— Richard Berry (@coachberry44) February 13, 2023
Respect. https://t.co/F926RWxXi2
— Kevin Flaherty (@KFlaherty247) February 13, 2023
Impressive accountability that’s a real man there https://t.co/YxceFhnsKj
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) February 13, 2023
Great accountability here from Bradberry. Still hate the call at that time/situation. Refs could call holding more blatant than that on every play if they wanted. https://t.co/jqdDGL2cW0
— David Amber (@DavidAmber) February 13, 2023
I’ve been giving him a hard time but I really respect this. https://t.co/fTr6dRrImA
— (Foots The King) (@FootsDaKing) February 13, 2023
Honestly good on him.
Still don’t agree you make that call there tho. https://t.co/pl5VPg6Eo2
— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) February 13, 2023
Class act. https://t.co/lytEePmywn
— Coach Feeback 🏈 (@JasonFeeback) February 13, 2023
You have to respect that.
