Super Bowl LIX takes place this Sunday, February 9, at the Superdome in New Orleans. Did you known that almost exactly 23 years ago at the very same stadium, Paul McCartney performed at Super Bowl XXXVI with his current touring band for the very first time?
The former Beatles star, along with Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray, Wix Wickens, and Abe Laboriel Jr. played Paul’s then-new song “Freedom” prior to the start of the game as part of a tribute to those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks.
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Then, in 2005, McCartney and his band returned to play the Super Bowl XXXIX halftime show in Jacksonville, Florida.
Sir Paul also attended quite a few other Super Bowls, including the 2024 game. At that event, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Beatles legend was spotted hanging out with Taylor Swift, whose boyfriend, Jason Kelce, plays tight end for Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs.
How McCartney Became a Fan of American Football
In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl and McCartney’s history with the popular sporting event, the British rock legend’s official website posted Sir Paul’s reply to a fan who asked how he got into American football.
McCartney explained that his fandom developed because of his U.S.-born late first wife, Linda.
“Well, being married to Linda meant I was in America quite a bit,” he noted. “We spent a lot of time there with her family and American Football was always on the television. I would watch it with everyone but not really know what was going on!”
McCartney continued, “Then Linda gave me a big clue. She said … ‘When the two teams line up against each other, there’s a guy who receives the ball. Keep an eye on him, he’s called the quarterback, and he’s going to pass it to someone. All the action comes from him.’ So, once I had that clue, I found it much easier to follow.”
He added, “I watched a lot of it and grew to really like it, because it’s quite a complicated and strategic game—and obviously very athletic.”
Sir Paul then pointed out that in his U.K. homeland, “we used to laugh at [American football], saying, ‘They wear all those pads and protective gear. We don’t, we’ve got rugby, a proper sport!’” He concluded, “I got over all that, and found I really liked it. So yeah, I’m a big fan of football, American-style.”
McCartney Takes Part in His Touring Crew’s NFL Pool
Meanwhile, McCartney also revealed that during his Got Back Tour, he took part in an NFL pool with his road crew to choose the weekly winners. He admitted that he enjoyed some success in the contest, which apparently didn’t sit too well with the crew.
“Yeah! Some of the crew bring a form around and you tick off who you think is going to win,” Paul explained. “I won once and everyone hated me! They said, ‘Oh god, oh no!’ Because of course there’s money involved and I’m their boss. But I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll give the winnings to charity.’ It was only that one time. But, believe me, it was a thrill!!”
More About This Year’s Super Bowl
Super Bowl LIX will feature last year’s champs, the Chiefs, taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. If the Chiefs are victorious, they’ll become the first NFL team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
This year’s halftime performer is rap star Kendrick Lamar. It remains to be seen if McCartney will be at the Superdome watching the game.