Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said Wednesday that the San Francisco 49ers "handed (the advantage) right over to" his team when they decided to receive the overtime kickoff during Super Bowl LVIII.
Travis Kelce couldn't believe the #49ers took the ball to start overtime.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 14, 2024
"You win the coin toss, you get the opportunity to have the advantage ... and they handed it right to us."
(via @newheightshow)pic.twitter.com/GbYtArwSqj https://t.co/weOIqlZ1if
The nine-time Pro Bowl pass catcher had a brutal first half on Sunday, recording just one yard on one reception. Kelce more than made up for it after Usher and company's halftime performance and ended up posting game highs in catches (nine) and receiving yards (93) during Kansas City's 25-22 overtime win.
On multiple occasions, San Francisco looked like a good bet to capture its first Super Bowl since 1995, holding leads of 10-0, 16-13 and 19-16 in regulation.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker nailed a 29-yard field goal with six seconds left in the fourth quarter to force just the second overtime contest in Super Bowl history.
Sunday was also the first playoff game since the NFL changed its postseason rules in 2022.
The first overtime playoff game under the NFL’s new rules: pic.twitter.com/4xGustvFPP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 12, 2024
The 49ers won the coin toss and eventually had to settle for a Jake Moody field goal. Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes got one chance to possess the ball, drove down the field and the signal-caller connected with wideout Mecole Hardman for the game-winning touchdown.
Lindsay Jones of The Ringer reported after the game that multiple members of the Niners weren't aware of the new overtime rules. Among them was All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who addressed the matter on Tuesday.
"Juice" told reporters he and his teammates learned the rule when the change was made two years prior but forgot about it over time. Juszczyk added that he felt the controversy was being blown out of proportion and was "just people looking for a way to s--t on" his head coach, Kyle Shanahan.
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