NBA is always a place that is full of conflict. But it needs a gut to take accountability for a fault. This time James Bradberry did something very unusual which made the audience spellbound.
While many in the NFL voiced their displeasure with James Bradberry’s physically taxing defensive holding penalty in the closing seconds of Super Bowl LVII, Bradberry himself said nothing.
Bradberry acknowledged holding Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on the disputed action while talking with media at State Farm Stadium following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 38-35 defeat to the Chiefs.
Eagles cornerback, as reported by Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, “It was holding,”. He also added, “I tugged on the jersey.”
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
James Bradberry: I pulled on his jersey. They called it. I was hoping they would let it ride. pic.twitter.com/JwCi4laT56
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 13, 2023
Bradberry’s infraction erased a third-down incomplete pass and prolonged what turned out to be Kansas City’s match drive. Despite being in field-goal range anyhow, the Chiefs were able to use almost all of the remaining time until sending Harrison Butker onto the field for the game-winning 27-yard kick thanks to the flag.
The Eagles would have most likely recovered the ball down three with approximately 1:40 left had the incompletion to Smith-Schuster been upheld.
Bradberry, who was released by the New York Giants in the previous summer and instantly made the second group All-Pro during his initial year in Philadelphia, had an unhappy finale to an otherwise awful start. One of the best cornerbacks accessible when free agency begins on March 15 will be the 29-year-old, who finished third in the NFL with 17 passes defended during the orderly season.
