Why Super Bowl player turned up barefoot and in handcuffs before game

A New England Patriots star turned up at the Super Bowl yesterday in a bizarre and intimidating outfit, but it wasn't enough to spook the Seattle Seahawks, who stormed to a 29-13 victory.

While much of the attention for this year's Super Bowl has focused on Bad Bunny's extraordinary halftime show, there was also the small matter of the final NFL game of the season to be decided.

Wide receiver Mack Hollins has a habit of turning up to sporting events in strange outfits and really outdid himself on Sunday (8 February), but it turns out there is method to his madness.

The 32-year-old rocked up to the match wearing handcuffs on both his hands and legs, completing the get-up with a Hannibal Lecter-style mask on his face and a prison uniform.

The 'Range 13' jumpsuit appears to be an apparent reference to an ultra-secure wing at ADX Florence, a federal prison in Colorado often dubbed the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies'.

Oh yeah, and he was barefoot too.

The NFL star has developed a bit of a rep known for going 'shoeless' before games, telling NBC back in 2023 that he believes 'everyone should be barefoot'.

Hollins assured fans that he washes his feet 'all the time', for those worried about his hygiene, adding: "It's so funny that people look at me like that because shoes are definitely dirtier than feet."

Discussing his stance on the alleged health benefits of going barefoot, the football player told Sports Illustrated in 2024: "Strength of the foot, strength of the knee, strength of the ankle.

"Free electrons from the body, so you feel more grounded. You're cleaner. You move faster. You strengthen the whole body, so your knee doesn't have to take so much pressure, and your ankle is more developed."

"Shoes are a tool," he continued. "You wouldn't walk around with a hammer just because you might nail something every once in a while. Why walk around in shoes just because you might step on something every once in a while?"

Hollins, who won Super Bowl LII as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, remained barefoot as he took to the Levi's Stadium field for pre-game workouts yesterday.

During warm-ups yesterday, Hollins also wore head coach Mike Vrabel's Warriors high school jersey, equipped with his No. 84 and all.

The wideout is known for donning quirky costumes to matches, previously wearing wigs, crop-tops, Christmas jumpers, construction vests, a Muppets mask, a Fred Flintstone outfit and many others over the years.