Travis Kelce couldn’t believe it — and neither could the refs.
Kelce was one of the Chiefs captains at midfield for the coin toss before overtime of Super Bowl 2024, and was stunned when 49ers’ Fred Warner opted to receive after San Fransico won the toss
“You win the coin toss, that’s what you get. You get the opportunity to have the advantage and they handed it right over to us,” Travis told brother Jason on the brothers’ “New Heights” podcast that was released Wednesday.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has received plenty of criticism since the decision backfired in the first playoff overtime game since the rules changed after the 2021 season.
San Francisco kicked a field goal, but Kansas City — knowing exactly what it needed to win or lose the game — drove right down the field for the game-winning touchdown.
“I am not trying to harp on the guy … but when they said we want to receive and the ref looked at Fred and said, ‘Are you sure? Sure you want to receive?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I want to receive. I want the ball,’” Kelce said.
Shanahan has repeatedly stated that his thinking was that if the teams matched points then the 49ers would get the third possession and a chance to win the game with any score.
The issue that has been pointed out is that even if the 49ers had scored a touchdown, the Chiefs would have the option to go for two if they also reached the end zone.
Chiefs players said after the game that coach Andy Reid took them through the overtime rules, while at least some 49ers players were unaware of how it worked.
“We told everyone as we were waiting for the coin toss to review everyone to make sure they’re sure before we go out,” Shanahan said. “So, we asked position coaches to do that. But I didn’t cover it in a meeting on the Super Bowl week. I don’t think that changes anything.”
“Inside the NFL” shared clips of the reaction by Chiefs players, who seemed stunned by the 49ers’ decision in real time.
Kelce confirmed that it sent a jolt of excitement through the team.
“I jumped out of my seat and was like, ‘here we go, boys. They want to receive, we get the second possession…. Defense, just hold them to three. We are going to go down here and win this thing,'” Kelce said.
Mahomes completed all eight passes in overtime for 38 yards and ran for another 21 yards, including an eight-yard dash on a fourth-and-1 play.
“Through the roof.” Travis said when asked where his emotions were after the 49ers kicked the field goal to open overtime.
“I saw it on Pat’s face and said, ‘oh yeah, that boy is dialed in right now. He knows they can’t slow him down right now.'”
