The Super Bowl media sessions turned into something of a Mardi Gras party in New Orleans on Monday.
Whether it was cake, cookies, or pop-tarts, sweets were on the mind of the players at the podiums during their appearances. Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, on assignment as a digital reporter for FOX Sports, spent the day throwing W-shaped cookies to players from both teams. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce praised Taylor Swift’s homemade Pop-Tarts. And three Eagles players will celebrate their birthdays on Super Bowl Sunday.
During Kelce’s press conference, a reporter asked him what dish his girlfriend, pop star Swift, would be cooking to fuel him on game day. “She is quite the cook,” Kelce responded. “I’m a breakfast guy, man. Her Pop-Tarts are unbelievable, man. Homemade Pop-Tarts.”
Later on in the interview, a reporter from Mexico asked Kelce what his favorite Mexican dish is. “I don’t like to get too crazy,” said Kelce. “I like a nice steak and chicken quesadilla. You can make that right, you win me over.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will have cake on his mind come Sunday. “I think it’s pretty cool that the Super Bowl lands on my birthday,” he said. “Not only my birthday, [cornerback Cooper DeJean] Coop’s birthday and [practice squad safety Andre] Sam’s birthday too. Winning the Super Ball on your birthday, or whether it’s a day before, or the day after, I think just winning the Super Bowl in general is such a cool moment, and it puts you in football royalty.”
Saquon also replied to the Mexican reporter’s question, saying a quesadilla was his favorite too.
But it was Winston who stole the show. The Browns quarterback, who has had a number of viral moments throughout his career, parodied the frivolous questions from reporters during the Super Bowl and often throughout the year, asking players what their favorite color is. He also gave inspirational speeches about the providential circumstances that led to this moment.
Winston made fun of himself in his exchange with Kelce. “Can you catch a W for me?” Winston asked. He threw a cookie to Kelce, who caught it with one hand and took a bite. “Can you catch one more for me so we can get a clean dub?” he asked before throwing another cookie, which Kelce dropped. Winston pretended to look around. “Hey, you know someone [is] always trying to intercept my stuff,” he joked, referencing the high number of interceptions in his career.
Winston also shared a special moment with Eagles linebacker Zack Baun; the two were teammates for five years with the New Orleans Saints. They embraced at the podium before Winston asked his questions.
“Look how good the Lord works,” he began. “You started here, in New Orleans, and now He brings you back here, on this day, on one of the biggest days that we dreamed of—we talked about this moment together, cherishing it together, but you get to cherish it with your family.”
“I’m so grateful that you are the epitome of resilience, and God has used you for an amazing story to come back here in [New Orleans] and get what you deserve.” Winston then threw a W cookie to Baun and told him to cherish the moment.
Winston had exchanges with most of the others who had podiums in media row, including Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, tackle Lane Johnson, and wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
