Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

James Bradberry explains handling of controversial Super Bowl LVII penalty

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/14/23

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back James Bradberry said Tuesday that he had no second thoughts on his decision to come clean following his holding penalty at the end of the team's Super Bowl LVII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

James Bradberry on accountability after game: "I feel like I only had two options, really: I could take responsibility for it or I could blame it on someone else. I try not to live that way. ...It comes from my Mom or coaches in the past I've had, taking accountability."
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 14, 2023

With two minutes left in Sunday's game, Bradberry was called for a hold on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on third-and-eight inside the Eagles 20-yard line. The penalty gave Kansas City a first down and allowed them to essentially run out the clock before Harrison Butker kicked the game-winning field goal.

Following the loss, Bradberry admitted to the costly miscue, saying "It was holding. I tugged his jersey. I was hoping they would let it slide."

A one-time Pro Bowler with the New York Giants, Bradberry joined Philadelphia in May 2022. He played in all 17 regular season games -- plus all three playoff contests -- and was named Second Team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

Bradberry finished the regular season with a team-high 17 passes defended (which ranked third in the NFL), while recording three interceptions (including a pick-six) as well. He added 10 combined tackles, two passes defended and one interception in the playoffs.

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