INGLEWOOD, CA | Cooper Kupp was the least surprised in the world to leave SoFi Stadium with the victory in his pocket and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award. Three years ago, he had this divine revelation, he says.
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It was at the end of a cruel defeat against the Patriots, at the Super Bowl, in February 2019. Kupp, who had been forced to observe the meeting without taking part in it due to a knee injury, swears that this day there, everything was revealed to him.
“It was an extremely clear vision, like a vision from God. I left the field and everything was there in front of me.
“After the loss, that vision told me we were going to come back, we were going to win the Super Bowl, and I was going to leave the field as MVP.
“I told my wife that because I couldn’t tell anyone else, but during these series, in every game I felt that the script was already written,” said the receiver, with his young toddler. on the knees, after the meeting.
True to form, Kupp chose to send flowers to his teammates for his accomplishments.
“When it happened, it’s like I felt like I didn’t deserve it because it all happened thanks to the people around me and my teammates. It’s the perfect team and I’m grateful,” he said.
Photo: AFP
Rams fans got up from their seats in this frenzied end to the game.
Donald dodges
One of the heroes of the evening, Aaron Donald, is used to facing the competition in front of him straight ahead, with brutal ferocity. When questions about his possible early retirement at 30 came, however, he dodged.
“I’m enjoying this moment with my family,” he said, surrounded by his children. I will appreciate what I am experiencing with my teammates and my family for the next few days. What do you say to that?” he said.
When a reporter asked him before he left the podium if he considered himself retired, Donald reiterated.
“I’m in the moment,” he concluded.
Previously, he still said he was relieved to have managed to bend the Bengals on their very last offensive play, in fourth down, with 43 seconds to play.
“I thought they were going to run, but when I saw it was a pass, I had to get to the quarterback. I tried to make him lose the ball, but when I saw that he managed to throw, I was very nervous. It worked and we took control in the second half. We are the champions!” he chanted.
Proud McVay
For his part, head coach Sean McVay said he was happy that his star players responded.
“We are the champions for a reason and that’s because our best players have been at their best in the biggest moments. I cannot express to you how much I appreciate this group”, he rejoiced.
McVay also praised the contribution of his quarterback Matthew Stafford (26 for 40, 283 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions). Particularly on the winning offensive streak, where he completed six passes for 57 yards and the final touchdown.
“I have enormous confidence in Matthew. You put the ball in the hands of your best players when it comes to winning. Matthew answered the call.
Burrow disappointed with himself
Photo: AFP
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, under pressure from the 280-pound colossus Aaron Donald, is credited with an incomplete pass that ended the Cincinnati side’s hopes of closing the gap.
On the losing side, Joe Burrow did not run away. Despite a more than honest performance with 22 completions on 33 attempts for 263 yards and a touchdown, he threw the stone at himself.
“I was disappointed with my performance overall. I expected to play better to allow us to win,” he said.
“It hurts, but we will still have to celebrate what we have managed to accomplish this season. We put so much effort into making it work the way we wanted and the ending is disappointing,” he continued.
Burrow was the victim of seven quarterback sacks, which ties a Super Bowl mark. The Bengals’ failing protection, which has been the team’s Achilles’ heel all year, finally caught up with the quarterback, who didn’t elaborate on the nature of his right knee injury. He finished the fourth quarter in pain.
“We’ll see when we return to Cincinnati, but I wasn’t going to leave the field,” he said.
“We are a young team. I like to think we’ll be back. This result, we will still feel it for a long time. We will continue to improve.”
what they said
“ It hurts, but we still have to celebrate what we managed to do this season. I was disappointed with my performance overall. I expected to play better to allow us to win. »
–Joe Burrow
“ The protection was impeccable in the first half, but afterwards it was more difficult. We will review what went wrong. »
– Zac Taylor
“ I knew Aaron Donald would make the big play on fourth down. Just before, I said: “Aaron is going to finish this match”. »
– Sean McVay
“ It was a long-awaited win for many players. There are so many who deserve this moment. Big players made big plays. »
– Matthew Stafford