Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night from Las Vegas took place on Monday. It came one day after the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and NFC champion San Francisco 49ers landed in Southern Nevada.
As is the case every single year with this annual event, entertainment was not lacking. Quotes from star players on both sides took over as Super Bowl week itself opened up.
The Chiefs and 49ers both arrived to Super Bowl Opening Night inside Allegiant Stadium in grand fashion ahead of Sunday’s big game.
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The legendary Bruce Buffer got things going with introductions.
As the Chiefs made their way on to the field, they were met by a chorus of boos. It’s a clear indication that Super Bowl LVIII will be very 49ers-friendly from a fan perspective.
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Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce talks Taylor Swift
Kelce had, by far, the biggest crowd surrounding him during Super Bowl Opening Night. Obviously, questions turned to Taylor Swift after her big night at the Grammy Awards.
“I told her I’m gonna have to hold up my end of the bargain and bring home some hardware too,” Kelce told reporters.
Patrick Mahomes on becoming GOAT with more Super Bowl titles
Mahomes has already won two Super Bowl titles throughout his still-young career. It’s in this that he’s drawing comparisons to all-time greats such as Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
Is this a tad premature? Mahomes seems to think so.
“I mean, I am not even close to halfway. I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. Your goal is to be the best player that you can be,” Mahomes said when asked if he thinks he can win seven Super Bowls.
The aforementioned Brady holds the record with seven Lombardi Trophies. It’s a feat that’s going to be hard to match. But at 28, Mahomes will inch once step closer with a win over the 49ers on Sunday.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes shows ultimate respect to San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Jeremiah Fennell steals the show at Super Bowl Opening Night
An 11-year-old absolutely stole the show. Jeremiah Fennell has been around for a bit since making waves last year. He was on hand during Super Bowl Opening Night from Vegas on Monday.
Here is Fennell talking about his path to being a kid reporter.
He also built an all-time team with Patrick Mahomes.
Before having a great back-and-forth with Kelce.
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks Brock Purdy
Andy Reid has one of the best quarterbacks in modern NFL history on his side heading into the Super Bowl. He’s also leading a coaching staff that’s preparing for going up against MVP finalist Brock Purdy.
Reid was asked about what he sees in the sophomore signal caller. In the process, he threw high praise in the direction of Purdy.
“He’s smart. He’s great under pressure. When your pass rush is coming he’ll stand right in there. What people don’t know is that he can run,” Reid said of Purdy. “I think they saw that last game. And then he’s got great accuracy.”
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Kansas City Chiefs stars engage San Francisco 49ers fans during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night
An electric scene also unfolded during Super Bowl Opening Night. That included Kansas City Chiefs stars getting in a back-and-forth with a pro-49ers crowd inside Allegiant Stadium.
Chris Jones, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were those on hand who had fun with 49ers fans. Mahomes stole the show in every way possible by calling the fans out directly.
This is not the Chiefs’ first rodeo. They have been here before. Whatever it’s like inside Allegiant once kickoff happens on Sunday, the defending champions will be ready.
As for the 49ers, they were met with a raucous applause when being introduced to fans in Las Vegas.
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San Francisco 49ers will continue to practice at UNLV
It was a major story after San Francisco landed in Southern Nevada from Northern California. The conditions at the UNLV practice fields were not up to NFL standards. The 49ers were concerned about potential injury risk to their players.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan talked about that during Super Bowl Opening Night. He told reporters that they will continue to practice on-campus at UNLV. “Not worried at all. It improves each day so hopefully it will get better and better,” Shanahan said.
Can Brock Purdy name all of the quarterbacks drafted ahead of him?
One of the obvious storylines heading into the big game is Brock Purdy’s status as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s morphed into an NFL MVP finalist from being a third-string to open his rookie season. If Purdy is able to lead the 49ers to their sixth Lombardi, it will be among the best stories in modern NFL history.
The former Iowa State star was asked about the 2022 draft and whether he can name those quarterbacks selected ahead of him. In typical Purdy fashion, he was very even-keel with his response.
“No. No. Honestly, I am not that kinda guy. I know a couple of guys who got drafted before me. But I’ve never held a grudge for it or anything,” Purdy said. “I am a believer that God has a plan for everybody. And I fell to last for a reason.”
For the record, eight quarterbacks were selected ahead of Purdy in the 2022 NFL Draft. Those eight have combined for 33 career wins and 61 touchdowns compared to 56 touchdowns. Postseason included, Purdy is 21-5 in his career with 49 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.
Purdy also noted that he has not had much time to plan his wedding since getting engaged during the summer.
Related: San Francisco 49ers CEO makes surprise revelation of when Kyle Shanahan knew Brock Purdy was QB1
San Francisco 49ers’ Charvarius Ward shades the Kansas City Chiefs
Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward was a member of the Chiefs the last time these two teams played in the Super Bowl. Since then, he joined the 49ers on a lucrative long-term contract ahead of the 2022 season.
Ward was asked a simple question about what it’s like being a member of the 49ers compared to his four-year run with Kansas City. His response was also simple while adding some shade in the Chiefs’ direction.
Ouch!