A shot at history, a prime opportunity for revenge and a halftime show sure to piss off the president.
Super Bowl 60 has a lot of stories to tell.
Here are the results of a thunderous night in California.
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Darnold completes redemption arc, Seahawks get revenge
When these two teams last met in the 2015 Super Bowl, Seattle had a chance to win in the final minute but elected to pass rather than run from one yard out.
Patriots safety Malcolm Butler is known for his interceptions, and the Seahawks have struggled with painful losses for 11 years.
These memories will make this total victory that much sweeter.
The hallmark of this Seattle team is a “Legion of Boom” defense – extremely physical, talented athletes dominating opponents on the field.
The team that head coach Mike McDonald and UK defensive coordinator Aden Doud put together, dubbed the “Dark Side,” arguably eclipsed even that legendary team.
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Holding the Patriots scoreless for three straight quarters seemed almost humane compared to how they reacted when their opponents showed some signs of life.
After New England’s eventual touchdown, the Seahawks threw an interception on their next drive to kill the momentum. Then, on the next play, Devin Witherspoon forced a fumble on quarterback Derek Meyer, leading to a defensive touchdown.
The Seahawks’ future looks bright as they are the third-youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl and could potentially sell the franchise for billions of dollars.
Before the start of last season, Sam Darnold had a record of 21-36 as a starter. [Getty Images]
While the defense dominated and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker posted the best rushing numbers in the game’s 28-year history, quarterback Sam Darnold was quietly crafting an efficient game of his own.
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Darnold’s career plummeted after he was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, and during a game against the Patriots he admitted to “seeing ghosts” while facing pressure from the Patriots.
After being waived by the Jets and Carolina Panthers, he was a backup in San Francisco before getting his chance with the Minnesota Vikings. He led the team to a 14-3 record last season, but was fired again when the team performed poorly in the play-offs.
In free agency, Darnold once again proved his talent this season behind a decent offensive line, where he quietly piled up yardage and avoided turnovers – previously the bane of his career.
Forgotten by some and ignored by most, Darnold’s rise to power and Super Bowl victory may be the most satisfying storyline in the NFL this season.
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Patriots fall short of record win
Drake Maye finished the fourth quarter with 253 yards [Getty Images]
For 20 years, the New England Patriots have been a staple in the NFL under the guidance of Bill Belichick and the league’s most decorated quarterback, Tom Brady.
The six-time champions are trying to overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers by claiming seventh place in Santa Clara.
After four consecutive winning seasons, just competing in this event is an incredible achievement. Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel took over last summer and sparked a dramatic turnaround.
Key among them was the stellar performance of second-year quarterback Meyer, who finished narrowly behind the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford in the regular-season MVP voting.
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Meyer was hoping to make history as the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, but he was hit six times and had a less-than-ideal record — his 21 sacks in the postseason were the worst in NFL history.
After managing just 78 yards of offense in three quarters, he at least found some momentum in the final quarter, throwing touchdown passes to Mike Hollins and Lamond Stevenson.
But the final score papered over the cracks in the Patriots’ defeat, and their pursuit of history was put on hold for at least another year.
Trump criticizes Bad Bunny’s halftime setup
After appearing at the 2020 Super Bowl with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny invites Lady Gaga to join him here [Getty Images]
Amid protests and scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics, the Super Bowl’s entertainment choices didn’t go down well with the White House.
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When Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime show in September, right-wing media circles noted that he had criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
A subsequent decision to give outspoken Trump critic Green Day a spot in the pregame entertainment was also met with praise.
When Bad Bunny won the Grammy for Album of the Year last week, he started his acceptance speech with “ICE out.”
That prompted a conservative group to organize an alternative halftime show headlined by Trump ally Kid Rock and the president, calling the choice “absolutely ridiculous.”
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On the way in, anti-ICE protesters offered towels with political messages to Super Bowl supporters.
Bad Bunny’s unapologetic Latin-style performance, performed in a makeshift jungle in the middle of Levi’s Stadium, did little to quell Republican ire but provided plenty of entertainment for the 70,000 fans.
The most talked-about artist of 2025 is full of energy, and with a whirlwind of moves and rapid-fire lyrics surrounded by countless dancers, he becomes the first performer to perform a half-time show entirely in Spanish.
There was time to squeeze in some special guests, including compatriot Ricky Martin and pop superstar Lady Gaga, who performed an excerpt from her song “Die With A Smile.” in English.
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Finally, as fireworks marked the end of an intense show, Bad Bunny waved the football he had brought with him, displayed the words “Together, We Are America,” and disappeared onto the field.
Last year, President Trump became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans. He did not attend in person but called the show an “insult to America” and “a slap in the face to our country.”
What other celebrities?
The Super Bowl has a huge draw for celebrity guests, and few stand out more than rock icon Jon Bon Jovi, who introduced the New England Patriots to the crowd before the game.
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On the other hand, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt did the same for his beloved Seahawks, while actors Macaulay Culkin and Jessica Alba were also among those in attendance.
Rappers Jay-Z and Travis Scott and Cardi B also came to the stands to support their boyfriend and Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs and dance with Bad Bunny.
As for sports stars, tennis legend Roger Federer and seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton were also in the audience to watch the action.
Finally, meritorious quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Joe Montana joined Brady in the coin toss ceremony.
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