NFL.com offers a look at the sights and sounds from Super Bowl LIX Opening Night.
Super Bowl week is here at long last, and it all starts with Opening Night.
Players and coaches from the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs arrived to New Orleans' Caesars Superdome to partake in one of the grandest events leading up to Super Bowl LIX, fielding questions of all sorts about the big game and beyond.
The Eagles kicked off the spectacle, greeted by New Orleans-themed mascots and a marching band.
Shortly after, the Chiefs arrived to meet with their opponent on stage and then have their turn with the media.
NFC champions take field
Two-time defending champs have their turn on stage
Eagles address the media
Chiefs address the media
A.J. Brown's balanced diet
From pregame meals to favorite cereals, Philly players ran the gamut of food-related questions at their podiums.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown didn't have to answer anything to be treated to a snack, though.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, standing in the middle of a throng of reporters, took it upon himself to keep Brown's blood sugar up when he tossed him a W-shaped cookie.
Brown, coming off a NFC Championship Game performance with six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown, predictably had no trouble making the catch before faking a bite for the cameras.
The desert was a tribute to Winston's own viral "Eating Ws" moment from years back. It also serves as some wishful thinking for the Eagles come Sunday.
Winston eventually made his way around to all of the Eagles' podiums with his cookies.
Jalen Hurts notably failed to reel his in -- something offensive coordinator Kellen Moore might want to take note of if he starts having any ideas of a Philly Special: volume two.
Saquon's Super Bowl birthday
Playing in his first Super Bowl isn't the only milestone Saquon Barkley is set to hit on Sunday.
The league's newest 2,000-yard rusher will turn 28 the same day he suits up against the Chiefs, and although he'd love a ring as a present, he needs no extra motivation.
“I think it’s pretty cool that the Super Bowl lands on my birthday," Barkley said. "But I don’t think winning the Super Bowl on your birthday, whether it’s the day before or day after, I just think winning the Super Bowl in general is such a cool moment and it puts you in football royalty. It’s something that you want to accomplish since you’re a little kid.
“So whether it was on my birthday or not, to be able to win it would mean everything, would mean the world.”
Just don't expect the running back's birthday cake to include the color red.
Asked about his favorite color, Barkley went with red, before quickly thinking of his opponent and realizing it might "not be the right color to say in this moment."
QB rivalry renewed
Standing in each other's way of a Super Bowl victory for the second time in three years, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes have had a flawless road to the New Orleans when it comes to playoff interceptions.
The pair have combined for 11 total touchdowns without a pick, setting up a heavyweight rematch.
But first, the two met on stage to explain pleasantries and answer a few questions from NFL Network's Scott Hanson.
Hurts reflected on his belief these Eagles could reach this stage from the very start.
“I think that’s the mentality ever year," he said. "Just when it all begins. That’s what you work for, to have these opportunities. It’s paid off to have what we have in front of us.”
Mahomes, meanwhile, summarized the respect between the two teams and that he has for his fellow signal-caller.
“I’ve seen him do it on the biggest stage," Mahomes said. "A guy that goes out there and puts it all on the line for his team. I think both our football teams, it’s great culture, it’s great teams, a lot of great players that all want to win.”
Popstar's pop-tarts
Taylor Swift, normally known for cooking up some tunes, is renowned by her by her boyfriend Travis Kelce for another reason.
The 14-time Grammy winner is apparently skilled in the kitchen, with her signature dish catering to future Hall of Famer's sweet tooth.
“She’s quite the cook," Kelce said of Swift. "I would say, I’m a breakfast guy, her pop-tarts are unbelievable. Homemade pop-tarts. Unbelievable.”
It's a little over a month too late for the most recent iteration, but college football's Pop-Tarts Bowl might want to get in touch for a future tie-in next year.
Mavericks' most famous fan gives measured take
Shockwaves from the Dallas Mavericks' trade of Luka Doncic reached the NFL on Monday night, allowing one of the team's biggest fans to provide his insight.
Straying far from the hysterical reactions that followed the blockbuster no one saw coming, Patrick Mahomes made sure to give love to both Doncic and the new Mavs roster -- even if the transaction still caused him some pain.
“As a Dallas fan it hurts me, but I’m happy for him that he’s going to be able to go out there and be in L.A. and try to achieve his dream of winning a championship," Mahomes said. "He did so much, not only for the basketball team but for the city of Dallas, so I’ll always be appreciative of those, but I’m excited for the Mavericks moving forward and the guys they brought in.”
On the off chance the trade causes Mahomes some sleepless nights, he luckily also received a pillow to sign.
Not so fortunate: It included a picture of the QB in his "dad bod" era. Mahomes made sure to sign it on that side, after which he had a question of his own.
“Which side do you sleep on?" he asked. "That’s what I want to know.”