On Sunday night, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings became just the second player in Super Bowl history to throw a touchdown pass and also catch one.
The first example? Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who did so back in February 2018.
The difference? Foles won his game. Jennings did not.
The 49ers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 25-22 in overtime, and afterward, Jennings was understandably despondent.
He was asked about how painful the loss was after the game, and he offered a rather sobering response.
“Anybody got a nail he can step on?” Jennings said of the reporter, via Michael Baca of NFL media. “Probably that much.”
Jennings threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey in the first half, giving San Francisco a 10-0 lead. Then, in the fourth quarter, Jennings caught a touchdown toss from Brock Purdy to provide the Niners with a 16-13 advantage.
But it was all for naught, as the 49ers ended up losing.
“Disappointment,” Jennings said. “Hard-fought year. A lot of teammates I know that wanted that game — I wish we could’ve got it.”
The 26-year-old, who totaled just 19 catches for 265 yards and a score during the regular season, led all San Francisco receivers with four grabs for 42 yards in the Super Bowl.
Had the Niners held on for the win, Jennings would have had a legitimate MVP case, but now, we will never know if he would have won the award.
Perhaps Jauan Jennings will carve out a larger role within the 49ers’ offense next year.
Regardless, it’s going to be a long offseason in the Bay.
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