The captain hoisted a “Chiefs Kingdom” flag out the plane’s window as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs arrived in Phoenix, and the team’s players, coaches, and staff members strolled across the tarmac.
An hour later, quarterback Jalen Hurts, coach Nick Sirianni, and others from the Philadelphia Eagles landed in Arizona and made their way to a fleet of buses. A banner reading “It’s a Philly Thing” fluttered on the runway.
Only one week remains before Super Bowl 57.
On February 12, the Chiefs and the Eagles will meet in Glendale, Arizona.
Tell a friend to tell a friend… WE HERE! pic.twitter.com/XsAZs49yxz
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 6, 2023
The winter weather in Phoenix was perfect for both teams when they arrived at Goldwater Air National Guard Base: sunny and in the low 70s. Members of the team were seen taking periodic breaks to photograph and film the runway.
Christian Okoye, a former star with the Chiefs, was there to greet the team as they deplaned and gave them caps. The legendary back-on-the-field player now resides in Southern California, making the quick journey to the desert city of Phoenix.
Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the #Chiefs players greeted by Christian Okoye off the plane. pic.twitter.com/FqYUisVie3
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 5, 2023
“They called me and wanted me to come over here and welcome the team,” Okoye stated. “So I said ‘Yes, of course’ — my team’s over here getting ready to win the Super Bowl.”
The oddsmakers believe that it will be a close game, but they have the Eagles favored. As per FanDuel Sportsbook, Philadelphia was an early -1 1/2 point favorite.
Last Saturday, Harrison Butker kicked a 45-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lift the Chiefs to a 23-20 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game. This was Kansas City’s third trip to the Super Bowl in the previous four seasons.
The Eagles won the NFC Championship Game with a 31-7 thrashing of the San Francisco 49ers. So far in the playoffs, they have dominated, including a 38-7 victory against the New York Giants in the divisional round.
Five years after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33, Philadelphia will once again compete in the Super Bowl.
SUPER BOWL BOUND: The @Chiefs are leaving @KCIAirport right now and heading to Phoenix for #SuperBowl! Coach Reid and his wife Tammy leading the way!#Chiefskingdom #Chiefs #KansasCity #NFL @fox4kc pic.twitter.com/SWSyw0pe7Z
— Kelli Peltier (@KelliPeltierTV) February 5, 2023
The Eagles will send a young team to Arizona, headed by Hurts and Sirianni, to defend their championship.
Monday night in downtown Phoenix will be “Super Bowl LVII Opening Night,” and all players and coaches from both teams will be there for the annual media spectacle.
The Chiefs will spend the week preparing for the season at Arizona State’s football facilities, while the Eagles will use the one at the Arizona Cardinals.
This Super Bowl will be the first Super Bowl to feature a starting quarterback of African-American descent (Mahomes) and a starting quarterback of Hispanic heritage (Hurst), thus there will be no shortage of drama.
Furthermore, tight end Travis Kelce of the Chiefs and center Jason Kelce of the Eagles will be going head-to-head against one another.
