On the long-awaited and iconic Sunday in American sports, the lights at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., hosted the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
For only the second time in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks played in and secured the 2026 Super Bowl title, their first since 2014 against the Denver Broncos.
Facing a team with a long history of Super Bowl success, the Seahawks won 29-13.
At first glance, the Seahawks appeared to be up against a historically dominant East Coast team with an abundance of Super Bowl trophies. This year, however, proved different.
With star quarterback Tom Brady retired from the Patriots, a major contributor to the team’s past success, and a strong Seahawks roster, many fans anticipated a Seattle victory.
The Seahawks’ defensive performance and the confidence of fans contributed to their momentum throughout the game. Seattle built control each quarter, holding the Patriots scoreless until the fourth quarter.
The Patriots struggled against the Seahawks’ defense. Although the final score showed a 29-13 margin, New England failed to score until the final quarter.
Quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver Mack Hollins connected for a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Patriots their only points of the game.
Despite the late momentum shift, the outcome of the 2026 Super Bowl remained sealed.
Nathaniel Griffin, junior mechanical engineering major, said he enjoyed watching the game with friends.
“I was rooting for the Seahawks just because I for no reason have been a fan of them for ten years,” Griffin said.
Griffin said he found the game less exciting than expected but valued the time spent with friends.
“I was there mostly for like the social aspect of it but it was a pretty boring game compared to the other games this season,” he said.
While Griffin hoped for more action and touchdowns, he said watching from home allowed him to celebrate with people he valued.
Although the game lacked excitement for some viewers, it marked a significant moment in NFL history. Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald became the third-youngest coach to win a Super Bowl, following Sean McVay and Mike Tomlin.
MacDonald, who became head coach in 2024, led the Seahawks to their second Lombardi Trophy at age 38.
Owen Wilson, junior communication sciences and disorders major, also rooted for the Seahawks after becoming a fan when he first started watching football.
“It was mostly just the hanging out together; it was just a reason to hang out for me even though I’m a fan of the Seahawks,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he expected a more competitive showing from the Patriots.
“I was kind of hoping that it would be a little more explosive or even more like a close game but it was kind of like the Seahawks dominating and then it just ended,” Wilson said.
Super Bowl LX will be remembered not only for the Seahawks’ defensive dominance but also for the team and coaching staff that contributed to the victory.
By making history within the franchise, MacDonald and the Seahawks strengthened their legacy and left a lasting impact on the team and the National Football League.
