Kansas
Super Bowl and close referee calls: Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles get controversial flags
Super Bowl 2025 started with the officials being a big storyline, giving fuel to the social media conspiracy theories about favouritism toward the Kansas City Chiefs.
But by the end of the first quarter of the game, calls ended up favouring both teams, giving both sets of fans something to talk about.
The first questionable call came on the opening drive of the game when the Philadelphia Eagles appeared to convert a fourth-and-2 from midfield with a 32-yard pass from Jalen Hurts to AJ Brown.
But the official immediately threw a flag because Brown shoved cornerback Trent McDuffie’s facemask. While there was some contact, Fox officiating analyst Mike Pereira was quoted by the Associated Press as saying it shouldn’t have led to a flag.
Those kinds of close calls that have tended to go in the Kansas City Chiefs’ favor in recent playoff games have fueled the conspiracy theorists and have been a major topic all week. Commissioner Roger Goodell called the allegations “ridiculous” during a news conference on Monday. The head of the officiating union Scott Green called such notions “insulting.”
The calls balanced out, however, on the Eagles’ next possession as a close call went the way of Hurts’ team. The quarterback threw an incomplete pass to Dallas Goedert on third-and-5 from the Kansas City 42. But the officials once again threw a flag because McDuffie made contact with Goedert’s facemask and Pereira didn’t like that call either.
Three plays later, Hurts scored on a 1-yard run for the first score of the game.
The Eagles got help from another key third-down penalty on their next possession with Charles Omenihu getting called for lining up in the neutral zone, negating a third-down sack that would have forced a punt.
Philadelphia became the first team since at least the 2000 season to convert two third or fourth downs by penalty in the first quarter of a Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles dominant in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs seemed to crumble in the first half of the Super Bowl 2025 as the Philadelphia Eagles shut off Patrick Mahomes’ throws. Nothing seemed to work for the three-time Super Bowl champion as the Chiefs failed to get going on the offense, drawing a blank.
The Eagles, on the other hand, raced ahead and ended the half with a 24-0 lead. While Hurts had one pass intercepted Mahomes threw two picks. One of them proved the costliest with Cooper DeJean running it all the way home for a pick 6. He also became the first player to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl on his birthday.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A rainy Independence Day morning is impacting holiday events around the area.
Following an initial delay, Shawnee Co. Parks + Recreation announced the Spirit of Kansas Car Show and Blue Festival is cancelled.
As of right now, the Capitol Federal Fireworks Show is still slated to start at 10 p.m.
Other Independence Day events like the Potwin Neighborhood parade and Collins Park Neighborhood parade have been cancelled due to the rainfall. The College Hill Neighborhood parade stepped off about 20 minutes late, but still got in their event.
In Manhattan, after remaining hopeful they’d be in the clear, Manhattan Parks and Rec cancelled its Star-Spangled Spectacular Cardboard Box Regatta.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match
KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories in Overland Park, Johnson County and topics about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.
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Colombians, Ghanians and Argentinians in Kansas City brought the energy and excitement for Friday’s Round of 32 matches in the World Cup.
Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrate victory win over Ghana in World Cup match
Colombia and Ghana played Friday at Kansas City Stadium, with Colombia winning over the Black Stars 1-0.
At Paisa MX Columbian Restaurant in North Kansas City, dozens celebrated their country’s win with dancing, food, and more dancing.
Colombia could now have a match with Argentina in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both teams win their next matches
With Friday’s win over Cape Verde, Argentina is one step closer to coming back to Kansas City.
Jake Weller
“It’s a big deal for me because my dad is Argentinian,” Jeremias Carmona, a soccer fan said. “Having Argentina in our backyard is literally the best thing.”
But Cape Verde didn’t go home without a fight, pushing Argentina to extra time at the end of the match.
“If you’re not at the game, you feel like you’re at the game [at watch parties] because the amount of people there are here,” Carmona said.
Even though the matches are higher stakes and more intense, it’s still a special moment shared between families.
Jake Weller
“It’s so cool to share [the game] with [my dad] who encouraged me and pushed me in soccer,” fan Kaelynn Seestadt said. “It’s been a really amazing experience.”
Valeria Lobo traveled to Kansas City with her mom, Bade, hoping to see her family’s country win.
“It’s our first Colombia match and we’re so excited,” Valeria Lobo said.
Jake Weller
“Really big World Cup energy [in Kansas City],” Lobo said. “I love it so much.”
Some fans traveled from right down the road, buying their match tickets five minutes before an interview with KSHB 41 News.
Jake Weller
“We’re going to do it and have the most memorable night of our life,” fan Ben Johnson said.
Kansas City turned yellow Friday night for both Ghana and Colombia, with the community giving that warm Midwest welcome.
Jake Weller
“It feels like home,” Colombia fan Martha Bermudez said. “You get goosebumps to see your Colombia colors and hear your language.”
At Paisa MX, it was a home away from home for dozens of Colombians in Kansas City.
Jake Weller
“We’ve been looking everywhere for a Colombia restaurant,” fan Christina Rose said. “The food made us feel like we were back home and this place has it all.”
Colombia will now face Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7.
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A Kansas man was injured in a jet-ski accident at Lake of the Ozarks Thursday evening.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported the incident happened at 7:55 p.m. at 341 Little Island Drive in Camden County.
According to the incident report, the 58-year-old Topeka man operated a 2023 Kawasaki jet-ski too close to a bridge pillar and struck it.
The man sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital.
MSHP noted the man was wearing a lifejacket during the incident.
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