The Super Bowl may still be underway, but Bradley Cooper won the first battle for the Philadelphia Eagles even before the kickoff took place. He achieved this with his impressive skills on the mic, taking on Jon Hamm in what seemed to be a rather one-sided contest. The Kansas City Chiefs’ quest for a historic Super Bowl “three-peat” against the Philadelphia Eagles kicked off on Sunday in front of U.S. President Donald Trump and pop superstar Taylor Swift, who led a crowd of A-listers in New Orleans. Other A-list celebrities included Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, and comedian Adam Sandler, while actors Jon Hamm and Bradley Cooper introduced the teams.
Bradley Cooper, a longtime Philadelphia Eagles fan, stole the spotlight as he introduced his team before the game. Taking to the mic, he delivered an emotional and passionate introduction, further winning hearts by holding Declan, a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis survivor, in his arms. One fan wrote, “The little boy in Bradley’s arms. His name is Declan. Went viral on @mdmotivator. Battling juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He’s been hospitalized 17 times. He’s EIGHT. Stronger than anyone on that field tonight.”
On the other hand, Jon Hamm’s attempt to match Cooper’s energy appeared to falter somewhat. The Mad Men star’s voice trailed and broke as he tried to raise his pitch while introducing the Kansas City Chiefs, his lifelong team. One fan reacted, “Well, Eagles won that round. John Hamm needs to check his blood pressure.” Another chimed in, “Woah, slow down, Mr. Hammaconda. You went a little Hulk Hogan on us, brother.” Some fans defended Hamm’s emotionally over-the-top rendition, stating, “We will not allow any Jon Hamm slander. Don Draper gave it his ALL, veins poppin’ and everything.”
New Orleans hosted the game for a record-tying 11th time as fans shelled out to attend, with the average price of tickets sold hovering around $6,500 on resale platform StubHub. Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes looked confident as he strolled into the facility in an Eagles-green suit, tie, and sunglasses. His Eagles counterpart, Jalen Hurts, entered in an all-purple ensemble as the theme song to the iconic Philadelphia underdog movie “Rocky” blared over the stadium speakers.
This emotional moment created a significant buzz, showcasing the heartfelt connections players and fans share. Bradley Cooper’s introduction not only highlighted his passion for the Eagles but also emphasized the struggles that individuals like Declan face, further solidifying the importance of compassion in competitive sports.
