The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 to earn the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy. The game was a slow-burning defensive affair for much of the night, with the bulk of scoring coming late and Seattle’s defense setting the tone early.
Seattle built an early lead with multiple Jason Myers field goals and held a lead entering the final quarter. Veteran quarterback Sam Darnold threw the game’s first touchdown to AJ Barner to open the scoring action, and New England answered when Drake Maye connected with Mack Hollins for a Patriots touchdown. Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu then intercepted Maye and returned it for a pick-six that pushed Seattle farther ahead. New England managed a late consolation touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
The halftime show was a major cultural moment: Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish and paid tribute to his homeland. His rapid set ran through 12 songs in just under 13 minutes, opened with “Tití Me Preguntó,” nodded to Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina,” and featured guest turns from Lady Gaga (who delivered a salsa-styled version of “Die With A Smile”) and Ricky Martin, plus brief appearances by Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba and Cardi B. Bad Bunny closed with a prominent on-screen message: “The only thing stronger than hate is love.” Reactions were mixed; conservative critics and, notably, former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling the performance “absolutely terrible” and “an affront to the Greatness of America.”
That controversy spurred alternative programming: conservative group Turning Point USA staged an “All-American Halftime Show” with Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, a production that drew roughly four million views on YouTube.
Off the field, there were protests outside the stadium against Trump administration immigration policies. Green Day handled the pregame performance; although frontman Billie Joe Armstrong had criticized ICE at a private event earlier in the week, the on-field set stayed away from overt political statements. The crowd included a long list of celebrities, among them Jay-Z and Blue Ivy, Chris Pratt, Jon Bon Jovi, Roger Federer and Travis Scott.
Notes from the game: Jason Myers accounted for Seattle’s early scoring with multiple field goals; most of the points came in the fourth quarter as Seattle converted a late defensive and offensive push into a decisive advantage. The victory gives the Seahawks their second Super Bowl title while denying the Patriots a record seventh championship.
For viewers new to American football: teams move the ball down a 100-yard field by running or passing. A touchdown is worth six points (usually followed by an extra-point kick for one more). Defenses stop advances by tackling, forcing fumbles or intercepting passes. Offenses have four attempts, called downs, to gain 10 yards; if they succeed, the downs reset.
The night combined a tightly contested, defensively driven game with a culturally significant halftime spectacle and off-field political conversations, ending with Seattle players and fans celebrating a second Lombardi Trophy.