TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the 2021 Super Bowl, their second championship title in franchise history.
The Bucs defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31—9 Sunday evening to claim the title on their home turf, Raymond James Stadium. The Tom Brady-led team stopped Patrick Mahomes II and his teammates from winning back-to-back Super Bowls.
Tampa Bay’s victory also extends Brady’s record of most Super Bowls won by a single player. He won six other championship games with the New England Patriots before joining the Bucs last year. Additionally, he holds the records for most Super Bowl appearances, 10, and oldest starting quarterback in a Super Bowl, 43 years old.
During the big game, Brady also broke set a new record with teammate Rob Gronkowski for most playoff touchdowns by a QB-receiver combo.
Fittingly, Brady was named MVP during the post-game ceremony.
Like many things this past year, the big game looked a little different. The stands were filled with cardboard cutouts, along with thousands of vaccinated health care workers who were required to wear masks. Officials and coaches on the sidelines were also seen wearing face coverings to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
As for entertainment, Miley Cyrus kicked things off with a “TikTok Tailgate” performance to honor health care workers. H.E.R. sang “America the Beautiful” before the national anthem was performed by Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church.
Super Bowl LV! Watch @hermusicx’s performance of America the Beautiful now: https://t.co/LZ49gNc0c5 @NFL #SBLV pic.twitter.com/b7AuA3aRO2
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) February 8, 2021
Replay @jsullivanmusic & @ericchurch’s performance of the National Anthem at Super Bowl LV now: https://t.co/LZ49gNc0c5 @NFL #SBLV pic.twitter.com/Wagj5pHWvJ
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) February 8, 2021
Before kickoff, inaugural poet Amanda Gorman participated in the coin toss. She recited a poem called “Chorus of the Captains” about the game’s three honorary captains who were chosen by the NFL because they’ve positively impacted their communities throughout the pandemic.
What a moment. @TheAmandaGorman #SBLV pic.twitter.com/v8VM9uhPww
— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2021
President Joe Biden also made an appearance with the first lady ahead of the game. In a prerecorded message, the couple thanked essential workers for risking their lives to keep other Americans safe.
Right before kickoff, the Bidens thank essential workers, encourage Americans to wear face masks, and lead a moment of silence for all those lost to COVID-19. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/1vMZs8IO93
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) February 7, 2021
The Chiefs actually scored first with a field goal, but the lead didn't last long. The Bucs racked up touchdowns and the Chiefs scored another field goal to put the score at 21-6 in favor of the Florida team at the half.
The Weeknd headlined the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show. The three-time GRAMMY Award winner wowed audiences when he brought his R&B/pop hits to one of the world’s biggest stages.
After the half, Kansas City failed to mount a comeback and Tampa Bay widened its lead. End the end, the Bucs came away with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
