Super Bowl 55 might go down as one of the most important in NFL history. At least, it has been billed that way over the last two weeks, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the first true “home” Super Bowl against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, putting a bow on the 2020 season the league navigated under the circumstances and challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
USA TODAY Sports is here to bring you the latest updates and analysis from our reporters and columnists at the game and across the country.
With kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS, check out these stories ahead of the big game:
Fans attend Super Bowl 55 at Raymond James Stadium
The smallest crowd in Super Bowl history will be on hand in Tampa due to pandemic restrictions. All fans will wear masks and of the approximately 25,000 in attendance, 7,500 will be vaccinated healthcare workers.
The numbers may be limited, but the prices sure aren’t — beers are going for $13-15.
KC Chiefs will be without Britt Reid
Britt Reid, the Chiefs’ outside linebackers coach and son of head coach Andy Reid, did not travel with the team after he was involved in a multi-vehicle accident Thursday night. Kansas City TV station 41 Action News reported that Reid told police two or three drinks.
Reid, 35, has been on the Chiefs staff since 2013.
Joe Biden wants to catch a pass from Patrick Mahomes
The 46th president has been preaching unity during his first weeks in office, and he struck a conciliatory tone when asked whether he’d go with Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes (Biden played wide receiver growing up).
“Obviously, Brady is a great quarterback,” Biden told CBS. “Mahomes seems like he’s got a lot of potential and so I’d probably take a shot with the young guy.”
When pressed if his pick of Mahomes reflected who he thought would win the game, the president demurred.
“I don’t know who’s going to win,” Biden said. “I think they’re both great quarterbacks.”
