The Super Bowl – the biggest event in the US sporting calendar – does not fall short of incredible moments that have fans on the edge of their seats.
From high-pressured performances on stage to the gruelling chase of the ball – the 57th edition of the Super Bowl will be no different as the Eagles and Chiefs go head to head.
Before the big game, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at the most iconic moments in NFL history.
Santonio Holmes scores in the last few seconds
Image: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Pic: AP
Super Bowl XLIII, Tampa Bay, 2009 saw the Pittsburgh Steelers claim a dramatic victory against the Cardinals.
With 35 seconds left on the clock, a perfectly placed ball in the back corner of the end zone was grabbed in a victorious occasion by Santonio Holmes – breaking the hearts of many Cardinals fans, as the Steelers took the win.
The Blackout Bowl in 2013
Image: San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during a power outage at the Superdome in 2013. Pic: AP
Super Bowl XLVII had a 34-minute delay due to a power outage, plunging parts of the Superdome into darkness.
At the height of a nail-biting clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers most of the lights in the 73,000-seat building went out.
Officials revealed that an “abnormality” in the power system triggered an automatic shutdown, which forced backup systems to kick in, according to the official NFL site.
Taking a knee
Image: San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid (35) and Colin Kaepernick (7) take a knee during the National Anthem at an NFL football game in 2016
A protest against racial injustice and police brutality.
The act of solidarity first started in 2016 with quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee, followed by other players.
This was in response to former President Donald Trump‘s remarks and the oppression against black people across the country.
During the Super Bowl half-time show in 2022, rapper Eminem took a knee.
Image: Eminem and Dr Dre perform in the half-time show during the NFL Super Bowl in 2022. Pic: AP
As speculation began about over NFL resisting the gesture, the football league quickly pushed back and denied the reports.
“We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception
Image: Malcolm Butler pulled off an incredible catch to win the Super Bowl for New England Patriots (L). Pic: AP
Super Bowl XLIX saw an unforgettable save that had the crowds roaring.
With a few seconds left on the clock,New England Patriots cornerbackMalcolm Butler brilliantly caught the ball in the end zone to deny Seattle Seahawks.
“Unreal,” shouted the commentator as Butler sealed the Patriots’ victory.
The Wide Right or 47 Wide Right by Scott Norwood
Super Bowl XXV might seem like a distant memory, but it is indeed a scene many fans remember.
It was ready, set, go for a field goal attempt by the Bills.
Norwood was ready to make his move but ended up kicking the ball wide right.
“It is no good,” the commentator said as the victory was given to the Giants in a 20-19 win.
Super Bowl LI saw a tie at 28-28 between the Falcons and Patriots.
After a nerve-wracking coin toss, the Patriots became were victorious within four minutes of overtime.
James White ran with the ball through the field and grappled through the crowd for the final touchdown.
An epic win that will surely be remembered.
Destiny’s Child reunite
Image: Beyonce reunites with, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Pic: AP
Beyonce always has a way of capturing the hearts of her fans and her reunion with Destiny’s Child in 2013 will live long in the memory.
Queen Bey took centre stage with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for the half-time show of Super Bowl XLVII.
It was a blast from the past, as fans were heard roaring to the sound of their famous track Bootylicious.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake
Image: Janet Jackson performed with Justin Timberlake. Pic: AP
Justin Timberlake rocked the stage with his Rock Your Body hit song, along with Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl XXXVIII half-time show.
Towards the final few seconds of the song, Timberlake ripped Jackson’s top open, briefly exposing her breast on stage.
Dubbed “nipplegate”, Timberlake infamously described it as an unintended “wardrobe malfunction”.
CBS, which had aired that year’s Super Bowl, was fined $550,000 by the Federal Communications Commission – but it was later was overturned.
David Tyree’s Helmet Catch
Image: New York Giants receiver David Tyree (85) holds on by his fingertips to a 32-yard pass. Pic: AP
Super Bowl XLII 2008 shocked many with the New York Giants Tyree’s epic helmet catch that is seen as one of the greatest plays in NFL history.
In the heat of the game, with two minutes to spare, the ball shot its way through the field after a forward pass.
Tyree took a perfectly timed leap, catching the ball and pressing it against his helmet.
The Coin toss
Image: Billie Jean King flips the coin before the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game. Pic: AP
In 2022, Tennis legend Billie Jean King conducted the coin toss ahead of the Super Bowl LVI.
King was honorary coin toss captain along with members of the California School for the Deaf-Riverside Cubs and members of the girls’ youth tackle football players from the Inglewood Chargers and the Watts Rams.
King conducted the toss to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark sports gender equality legislation.
Title IX was passed in 1972 as part of the Education Amendments, which abolishes sex-based discrimination in school, universities and other educational programmes.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials have been blocked from attending September’s annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has revoked the US visas of delegates from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and denied others from applying for one.
It is the latest step by Donald Trump’s administration to target Palestinians with visa restrictions, and follows the suspension of a programme to allow injured children from Gaza to receive treatment in the US.
Image: Mahmoud Abbas addressed the general assembly in 2024, but is barred from next month’s meeting. Pic: Reuters
“It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” a statement from the US State Department said.
It added that, to be considered partners for peace, both groups “must consistently repudiate terrorism, and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO”.
Israel declared Gaza’s largest city a dangerous combat zone on Friday.
The army launched a planned offensive that has drawn international condemnation.
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Thick smoke rises from Gaza City after Israeli strikes
Foreign ministers from Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain released a joint statement saying the military operations in Gaza City will cause “intolerable deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians”.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in Gaza City while enduring famine.
Image: An Israeli armoured vehicle in northern Gaza on Friday. Pic: AP
Image: Palestinians ride a truck carrying humanitarian aid in Gaza City. Pic: AP
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Riyad Mansour, said Mr Abbas had planned to lead the delegation to the UN meetings and was expected to address the general assembly at the general debate, which begins on 23 September.
He was also expected to attend a high-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on 22 September about a two-state solution, a broad idea involving Israel coexisting with an independent Palestinian state.
The State of Palestine is an observer member of the UN, meaning it can speak at meetings but not vote on resolutions.
Image: The State of Palestine cannot vote on UN resolutions. Pic: AP
US decision ‘contravenes international law’
The Palestinian Authority “expressed its deep regret and astonishment” at the visa decision, calling it “a violation of US commitments” as the host of the UN, and claiming it “contravenes international law”.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the world body would be seeking clarification in the “hope that this will be resolved”.
Image: Hundreds of diplomats left when Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu began speaking at the general assembly in 2024. Pic: Reuters
The State Department said that the Palestinian Authority’s mission to the UN, comprising officials who are permanently based there, would not be included in the restrictions.
Under a 1947 UN agreement, the US is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the UN in New York.
But Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons.
The death toll in Gaza has now risen to 63,025, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
It also reported five more malnutrition-related deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number during the war to 322, with 121 of them children.
US President Donald Trump has revoked Secret Service protection for former vice president and 2024 Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
A senior adviser to Harris, Kirsten Allen, confirmed the decision. “The vice president is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety,” said the adviser.
Typically, vice presidents receive a six-month security detail from the Secret Service after they leave office, although it had been extended to 18 months for Harris, according to officials.
Initially, then-president Joe Biden extended her security arrangements to one year, or January 2026, according to reports.
However, a Secret Service official told Sky News’ US partner, NBC, that Biden subsequently signed an executive memorandum in January increasing the then vice-president’s protection period even further, to 18 months.
Former US presidents receive Secret Service protection for life.
Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Mr Trump, is due to start a book tour for her memoir, “107 Days”, shortly.
She was the Democratic nominee for 107 days after Biden exited the race in the weeks following a challenging debate against Trump.
Mr Trump has also ended federal security protection for others, including former national security adviser John Bolton. Last week, FBI agents raided Bolton’s Maryland home.
In March, the president ended protection for Joe Biden’s children – Hunter and Ashley Biden.
Harris has not ruled out a possible presidential run in 2028. She announced in July that she would not run for governor of California in 2026.
Eighteen other people were injured, including children aged between six and 15 and three adults in their 80s.
Police said Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman, opened fire with a rifle through the windows of the school’s church as children sat in pews.
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New details released of US school shooting
‘Our hearts are broken’
Harper’s parents, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, remembered her as “a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her”.
“Our hearts are broken not only as parents, but also for Harper’s sister, who adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain,” their statement said.
They urged leaders and communities to “take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.”
“Change is possible, and it is necessary – so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies,” the statement added.
Image: The family of Fletcher Merkel said there was a ‘hole in our hearts’. Pic: Family handout/AP
‘Fletcher loved his family’
In a statement reported by Sky’s US partner network NBC News, Fletcher’s father Jesse Merkel blamed the “coward” killer for why the boy’s family can’t “hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming”.
He said: “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sports that he was allowed to play.
“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing.”
Mr Merkel also praised “the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike from inside the church”.
“Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful,” he added.
Image: Families and loved ones reunite at the scene after the shooting. Pic: Reuters
Mayor calls for assault weapon ban
It comes after Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey called for a statewide and federal ban on assault weapons, a day after the deadly school shooting.
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Minneapolis mayor urges assault weapons ban
“Thoughts and prayers are not going to cut it. It’s on all of us to see this through,” the mayor said at a news conference. “We need a statewide and a federal ban on assault weapons.
“We need a statewide and a federal ban on high-capacity magazines. There is no reason that someone should be able to reel off 30 shots before they even have to reload.
“We’re not talking about your father’s hunting rifle gear. We’re talking about guns that are built to pierce armour and kill people.”
“It is very clear that this shooter had the intention to terrorise those innocent children,” he added, before saying the killer “fantasised” about the plans of other mass shooting attackers and wanted to “obtain notoriety”.
Thomas Klemond, interim CEO of Minneapolis’s main trauma hospital Hennepin Healthcare, said at an earlier news conference that the hospital was treating nine patients injured in the shooting.
One child at the hospital was in a critical condition, he added.
Children’s Minnesota Hospital also said that three children remain in its care as of Thursday morning.