On Sunday night, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs engaged in a thrilling Super Bowl contest, with the latter emerging victorious during the final seconds of overtime. Two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes took another step towards NFL immortality, earning his third championship in seven seasons. Meanwhile, 49ers’ bench boss Kyle Shanahan sits defeated in three Super Bowl appearances. In a game of back-and-forths, with each team nearly pulling away late, this season’s Super Bowl features its fair share of explosive yet controversial plays. Specific calls are not lost on the San Francisco faithful, with many taking to social media in a fit of rage, claiming the officiating turned a blind eye against Kansas City multiple times.
San Francisco 49ers Fan: Outraged Over Sunday’s Officiating
Much of the NFL world has long claimed the league has had a soft spot for their top franchise, the Kansas City Chiefs, and their megastar, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs were at the center of controversy last season when a late holding call against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl propelled them to victory.
Meanwhile, many fans believe they received the benefit of the doubt this season, most notable on a non-defensive PI call and a non-called unsportsmanlike conduct foul against the Minnesota Vikings in early October. However, on the brightest stage on Sunday night, 49ers fans went wild over some of the calls in their team’s loss. Missed holdings, a neglected intentional grounding call, and other controversial decisions led to San Francisco fans taking to Twitter (also known as X) to share their disbelief with the NFL officiating crew.
No holding call on Fred Warner pic.twitter.com/HJ6OgYTa9s
— wade (@wade_chill) February 12, 2024
No holding call here. 1st down chiefs pic.twitter.com/kCsPYCsnQR
— Jazz Focus (@utjazzfocus) February 12, 2024
INSANE… THE REFS MISSED A CLEAR HOLDING ON THE #CHIEFS THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN THEM OUT OT FIELD GOAL POSTION.
Instead Kansas City scores points and keeps this game close.
(@aj_c21)
pic.twitter.com/cO71qU3GnE— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 12, 2024
Raise your hands if you want Bill Vinovich fired as an NFL referee. He Hates 49ers like Shawn Hochuli hates Bills when it comes to NFL teams they screw around. I hope those 2 are gone before the 2024 NFL season because they’re full of bias in every corner on the officiating crew pic.twitter.com/xxuMmRrk72
— Danielle❤️🐞🏈 (@snowbubbleon) February 12, 2024
the refs watching all of the holding by the Chiefs offensive line tonight#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/ufG3S7Wy6g
— Dar-Wei Chen, Ph.D. (@chendw) February 12, 2024
The refs better call the same holding calls against the chiefs also but i doubt it #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/tIQPRHDnf4
— JM (@jesus2591) February 11, 2024
This was rigged from the start. We never stood a chance. pic.twitter.com/ceC4vn8n1W
— Ilays (@Afaggaal) February 12, 2024
49ers deserved that win. It’s so rigged I hope you guys can see it for what it is, truly rigged. Chiefs you guys got so lucky Taylor swift bailed you guys out.
— adin (@adinross) February 12, 2024
Kansas Chiefs after winning a rigged Super Bowl pic.twitter.com/xvzSTd8Sd0
— jay🧸 (@fwj6y) February 12, 2024
Super Bowl LVIII: 49ers get Walked Off by Chiefs
On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers suffered a devastating and emotional loss. Kansas City Chiefs gunslinger Patrick Mahomes hit Mecole Hardman for a three-yard game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds remaining in overtime. San Francisco scored first in overtime on a 27-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody, but Kansas City was able to answer with a 75-yard touchdown drive. The Chiefs forced overtime by driving 64 yards in the final minutes post-regulation, with Harrison Butcker drilling the game-tying 29-yard field goal.
The Chiefs finished with 465 yards of offense, while the 49ers tallied 382. Meanwhile, San Fran went 3-of-12 on third down, while KC converted on 9-of-19 third downs. The Chiefs also won the turnover battle despite five fumbles (one lost). Each team committed six penalties while having nearly the same possession time. Quarterback Brock Purdy went 23 of 38 for 255 yards and scored a score in the loss.
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