Yesterday, Super Bowl 60 (LX) was played in Santa Clara, California, at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers and right in the heart of Silicon Valley. It’s a modern setting for the biggest game of the NFL season.
The matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots features two teams with very different stories, led by quarterbacks at different stages of their careers. The Patriots are led by rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who is trying to deliver the franchise its first Super Bowl without Bill Belichick or Tom Brady. Maye, a league MVP finalist, has a chance to become the youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl.
One of the biggest storylines belongs to Sam Darnold. After playing for the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Kevin O’Connell, Darnold rebuilt his career with the Seahawks and now has a chance to win it all. Darnold had a breakout season with the Vikings in 2024, leading them to a 14–3 record after rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear in training camp. Following a playoff loss, Darnold was released and later signed with Seattle, helping the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl despite dealing with an oblique injury.
It’s always just been about putting in hard work, every single day. Hard work and all the dedication and hours I put in in the offseason, during the season, it leads to this moment. That’s the mindset I have, and really the mindset I’ve had my entire career.
– Sam Donald told Yahoo Sport
Just a year ago, the Vikings chose to move on from him, making this run especially tough for their fans to watch. Darnold’s success is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL, and how important the right environment can be for a quarterback’s career. Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about the game—it’s about the journeys that lead players here.
Sports Illustrated covered the reactions of current and former Vikings players to their former quarterback Sam Darnold leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. While most players reportedly congratulated Darnold, a cryptic tweet from Jonathan Greenard sparked speculation about frustration with the Vikings’ decision not to re-sign him. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ quarterback situation remains uncertain following a disappointing season.
The Seattle Seahawks dominated from the opening kickoff, defeating the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl 60. Seattle’s defense led the way, sacking Drake Maye six times and forcing three turnovers.
Controversial Half Time Show
For many football fans, the halftime show is the main focus of the heavily hyped Super Bowl marketing, as it reportedly draws the largest audience ever for the entertainment industry and for attention-seeking businesses advertising during the event.
Since the NFL’s announcement of Puerto Rican entertainer Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl 60 halftime performer, whose performance will be entirely in Spanish, the decision has been controversial due to his strong advocacy for Puerto Rican identity and his stance on U.S. immigration policies.
According to NPR, Puerto Rico came to a standstill for 13 minutes as fans paused to watch Bad Bunny’s halftime show, celebrating his rise from a grocery bagger to the world’s most streamed artist. Hundreds gathered across the island to watch him headline the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, with many organizing watch parties and dubbing the occasion “Super Bori Sunday.”
News coverage noted that Bad Bunny’s performance, which featured Ricky Martin and highlighted cultural and political themes resonant with Puerto Rico’s identity and ongoing issues, struck a chord with many viewers, including Juliana Santiago, who found it inspiring.