Eagles CB cops to holding: Was hoping officials would let it go

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry took responsibility for a questionable holding call late in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday that helped swing the game in the Kansas City Chiefs' favor.

«I was hoping he would let it go, but of course he's a ref, it was a big game,» Bradberry said after the Eagles' 38-35 loss. «It was a hold, so they called it.»

The Chiefs were facing a third-and-8 from Philadelphia's 15-yard line with just under two minutes to play and the game tied 35-35. Bradberry appeared to put his hand on receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at the top of his route and was whistled for defensive holding.

«The receiver went to the inside and he was attempting to release to the outside,» referee Carl Cheffers told a pool reporter. «The defender grabbed the jersey with his right hand and restricted him from releasing to the outside. So, therefore, we called defensive holding.»

Question: Take me through that holding call on the final drive against the Eagles. What did you see there?Cheffers: «The receiver went to the inside and he was attempting to release to the outside. The defender grabbed the jersey with his right hand and restricted him from releasing to the outside. So, therefore, we called defensive holding.»Question: What specifically about that play was the part that merited the flag, just to be perfectly clear?Cheffers: «The grabbing of the jersey that restricted his free release to the outside.»Question: Was that a pretty clear case of it from your vantage point?Cheffers: «It was a clear case of a jersey grab that caused restriction.»Question: The restriction, did it happen at the top of the route or was it after the receiver had turned?Cheffers: «He went to the inside, he put a foot down to