By Charles Jardine
Assistant Editor
Students packed into the Gentile Gallery on Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. for the game of the year between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Franciscan’s EXC!TE put on the event with a catered dinner consisting of wings, potato chips and other various party snacks.
The Gallery was filled with chairs, streamers, football decorations and other decorations supporting either team.
The Chiefs were the defending champions from the year prior, but the 49ers outstanding defense and run game made them the odds favorite.
Students came dressed in their favorite jerseys and red shirts. There appeared to be a majority of Chiefs fans at the event based on the amount of Taylor Swift t-shirts that were being worn.
The 49ers dominated the first half with a forceful run game, and their defense had the Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, on lockdown for most of that half.
The halftime show featured Usher on roller skates and a stage full of flashing lights. Usher was joined by Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon during the show.
Mahomes and the Chiefs stormed back in the third quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points to give themselves the lead 13-10.
Students neared the edge of their seats for the fourth quarter when Chiefs kicker and devout Catholic Harrison Butker kicked the game-tying field goal, sending the game into overtime.
Cries and cheers were heard throughout the J.C. Williams Center when the Chiefs won in overtime with a touchdown reception to wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
Junior catechetics major Peter Hildebrand said, “I was impressed with the food, and it was one of the best games in a while.”
“I was really hoping the niners would win, but as long as the Swifties don’t get too annoying, I’ll be ok,” said senior finance major Tyson Smith.
EXC!TE is a school organization run by students for students, promoting events and encouraging community at Franciscan.