When my dad says “I have something to tell you,” I assume the worst, something bad has happened, but this time it meant the complete opposite, a promise had been fulfilled. He told me that we were going to the Super Bowl. He had promised me 8 years ago, if the Eagles ever made the Super Bowl we were going to go. Little did I know, Super Bowl 57, was one I would never forget. 

A once-in-a-lifetime experience occurred for me on 2/11/23; my dad and I flew into Phoenix, Arizona, to watch our favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, play the Kansas City Chiefs. Though the outcome was not one we wanted, my dad and I made up for it by seeing the gorgeous sights of Arizona, including the Red Rocks and the Grand Canyon. 

At Reagan Airport in DC, the day before the big game, there was an influx of NFL fans boarding our flight to Phoenix, 60 percent of them being Eagles fans; it felt like we were in Philly. When we got off the plane, we met more people saying “Go Birds” and more Eagle-green attire. 

The day of the game, the roads were packed; it seemed that everyone was trying to enter StateFarm Stadium. Glendale, Arizona, was completely transformed into a Super Bowl wonderland, with street vendors on every side of the road, chocolate labradors being sold 30 feet from the stadium, and mini pop-up stands selling Valentines’ Day baskets. When we entered, I immediately felt like I was in NFL fan heaven. To my right, shops were selling Super Bowl merchandise, and to my left, there was an entrance to a live Jason Derulo concert. 

After entering the stadium, we went on a walk to find our seats, and every two minutes someone would start chanting “E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles,” and soon after, every Eagles fan would follow. The emotional, heartfelt performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by Chris Stapletonwas just a precursor to the game. I could not take our eyes off of the actual game, every play seemed like a battle, touchdown after touchdown, the Eagles entered half-time up by 10 points. Being the pessimist I am, I did not believe they had it in the bag and was stressed, while my dad was the complete opposite, he was just waiting until the green confetti fell. Rihanna’s performance captivated me the entire time, I honestly forgot we still had a second half. Her performance was immaculate, the screen alerted us to turn on our flashlights during “Diamonds,” and the whole stadium was lit up with flashlights. After the performance, the most important part resumed, the actual game. Throughout the second half, my dad and I were on the edge of our seats, pass after pass, the game was tied. It all came down to a holding call, and later, a game winning touchdown.The confetti fell as the Chiefs sadly won the game. Me, along with the other Eagles fans in our section were distraught, we sadly paraded out to our cars, signifying the end of an unforgettable game experience. 

With our flight leaving Tuesday morning at 12:54 AM, we had a whole day to kill, the options were Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon. My dad and I decided on the Grand Canyon, the whole 4 ½ hour trip was full of white-knuckle driving, with snow falling and the wind blowing around us. After arriving at the Grand Canyon, my dad and I were awestruck, we had never seen anything so naturally stunning before. The ombre of colors and the deep valleys, made the Grand Canyon the natural stunner that it is. On our way home, my dad and I made a second rash decision to go see the Red Rocks in Sedona. Even though this was a shorter visit than the Canyon, it still left me with an appreciation for the beauty Arizona has to offer. Though the Grand Canyon was stunning, the Red Rocks were my favorites. The red and pink colors that surrounded us as we drove through astounded me. Red Rocks was arguably the prettiest and most jaw-dropping piece of natural scenery I had ever seen.

Our Super Bowl experience was like none other, finding out we got two tickets two days before the game, flying out the day before, and traveling across the state. Though it was stressful at times, it was an experience I will never forget. The only thing I wish I could have changed was the result of the game, but unfortunately I am not an NFL quarterback.