New Orleans – For more than 100 million Americans every February, the Super Bowl Halftime Show (played by this year’s rapper Kendrick Lamar) is your chance to observe musical performances for television.
For players from two teams who participated in the big game, the roughly 30 minute break is a game of waiting, as it is different from the other halftimes of the season.
At least the Philadelphia Eagles right tackle lane Johnson found one advantage of an extended break.
“Well, we have more time to use the toilet. Let’s keep that out of the way,” Johnson told USA Today Sports. “The usual game, not that. It’s like you’re out and you get 7 minutes, the coach tells you, ‘Did you get this?’ And we returns to the field. They need to make regular halftims longer. ”
Preparation is essential, just like the game itself. Both the Eagles and Kansas City Chief staff have plans to deal with downtime.
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“They usually have a schedule for us at halftime,” said Chiefs defensive side Mike Danna.
This includes the specified 4-5 minutes to eat (snacks). The player then reviews coaching points that have been drilled for two weeks. The coaches will conduct reviews from the first half and then take a break. There’s more food and hydration. After that, the second half of the adjustments will be made.
“You get down on your feet, eat, hydrate, everything is just as important as the game,” Danna said.
Both the Eagles and Chief are familiar with the challenges that Super Bowl halftime presents. The Chiefs have been here for the past two years and are back for the fifth time in six seasons. The Eagles lost to the Super Bowl 57 Chiefs two years ago.
Johnson said he wasn’t sure the Eagles were too complacent during that game. There, I entered the locker room with a 10-point lead.
“To your point, we’re giving more time to coaching, we have more time to stay hydrated, and we’ll use the toilet,” Johnson said.
Halftime in the Super Bowl doesn’t feel the same for all players. Eagles Edge Rusher Josh Sweatt said, “The Last Super Bowl was blurry.”
“They’ll have something we need to do, warm up. There’s something to keep it fresh,” Sweat told USA Today Sports. “We manage our time well. I don’t know how it looks. I’m not going to lie, so I forgot what it would look like in the end.”
It is essential to enter halftime in a calm minded framework and know that saving energy is a priority, Justin Reed said.
“Sometimes, guys come at halftime like ‘Rah, ra,'” Reid told USA Today Sports. “Halftime is so long, you had to plan for it. The first bit is simply decompression. “And from there, do another mini warm-up and then there. I’ll leave and play again.”
The “strange thing” about halftime in the Super Bowl has to warm up once again, according to Andrew Whitworth, a former NFL lineman who played in the Los Angeles Rams and two Super Bowls.
“There are almost all that you need to shut down for almost a second and then back up,” Whitworth told USA Today Sports. “Usually, like halftime, I don’t even sit down. I just walk around the locker room, drink some water and get ready to go back there.”
Players who wear more on the tires, such as Chiefs tight ends Travis Kels and Johnson, are cutting more work for them in terms of strengthening it. His Super Bowl, ages 37 and 41).
“If I sat there, I would have to revert back to my pretty good self again,” Whitworth recalled. “You really had to use that window.
“And the Super Bowl is the crazy week for all (of) all types, which is why it’s a huge advantage for those who have played it.”
This break reminds me of college chiefs guard Trae Smith when bands take the field and half-tims generally get longer. The shortness of NFL halftime was actually a transition for him, he said.
In the Super Bowl, understanding priorities is important, Smith said.
And don’t forget the unclear things.
“Get a nice PB&J sandwich and go back a bit and ask for coaching points,” Smith told USA Today Sports. “Also, don’t turn yourself too much. You understand that it will be a longer period. I just say it’s more focused, it’s harmonious and understand it. I think… you’ll spend quite a long time.”
Along with the former Washington commander, former Chiefs offensive lineman Nick Allegretti said he would lie on the ground with his legs raised when he chose.
“We’ve actually got the opportunity to turn it off and put some good snacks for some people, if not food,” said Allegretti. “Bring a real warm-up in the locker room. I just understand that it’s 30 minutes. A halftime show is ongoing. All games are the same, the Super Bowl, it’s twice as long halftime is.”
Smith doesn’t like eating before the game, so it’s necessary to put something together, but he and most other players keep it light.
“A little snack,” Smith said. “PB&J, water, maybe Gatorade. Please fuel a little.”
Reed likes to wear two jerseys during the game, one for each half, changing at a slow pace using the extra time. The snacks he chose are fraudulent and applesauce. My husband likes orange slices, just like he did in high school.
During normal half-tim, coaches, especially those who coach the story of the booth above the locker room, have little time to talk to players. It changes in the Super Bowl.
“It definitely helps coaches get the extra to digest that information and get it to us,” the Washington manager said, working on former Chiefs lineman Andrew Wyley. He spoke to USA Today Sports.
Nevertheless, the amount of adjustments is merely a typical regular season or playoff game. Thanks to the help of tablets, these are usually made between series, Johnson said.
“It plays roughly the same as a regular game,” Reed said. “It stretches for four to five hours rather than three hours. That’s the same adjustment we usually do.”
Listening to halftime performances is something players have to deal with. Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson saw the Bench Super Bowl 56 Halftime Show (also included Lamar as part of the Ensemble Act).
Dana said he is a fan of three newest performers this year, including Rihanna (2023), Usher (2024) and Lamar.
“I saw that,” said Dana. “When you see it, it feels better than usual.”
Especially if you’ve touched the Lombardi Trophy in advance as a Super Bowl champion.