The final offensive play of Super Bowl 58 was frustrating for San Francisco 49ers fans. In overtime, Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones broke through the line, preventing quarterback Brock Purdy from having enough time to find his open receivers in the end zone. The 49ers settled for a field goal, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes proceeded to execute some unfortunate late-game magic.
Fans weren't the only ones frustrated by the play. Initially, right tackle Colton McKivitz bore the brunt of the blame for missing the block on Jones. In an effort to defend McKivitz, veteran offensive lineman Jon Feliciano threw another teammate under the bus—guard Spencer Burford, who was lined up next to McKivitz.
"I know you know all, so u should know that's not Colton's guy….," Feliciano wrote on social media in response to a fan's critique (h/t Chris Rosvoglou of The Spun).
Burford, who was in the game due to Feliciano's injury, wasn't pleased with the response, stating, "Sheesh…I open up my app to this…get well soon bro…"
An apologetic Feliciano replied, "Im sorry bro. I woke up hungover and being a b----. In trying to have ones back I hurt u. It's f-Ed up and I apologize. You got nothing but greatness ahead of you. I'm sorry bro."
Feliciano wasn't the only frustrated 49ers player to voice his opinion on social media. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud was defensive of his role in a key special teams blunder.
Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend kicked the football to the 49ers in the third quarter. McCloud, the returner, yelled for teammates to get away from the area before trying to jump on the loose football, attempting to recover it. Replays showed the ball bouncing off 49ers rookie cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. before heading McCloud's way.
One fan noted that without the mistake, the 49ers are likely Super Bowl champions (h/t Karl Rasmussen of Sports Illustrated). The Chiefs recovered the football and scored their first touchdown of the game.
Perhaps thinking the fan was criticizing him, McCloud responded, "If you don't know football don't speak about the play! Cuz that's not a muff goofy boy!"
However, by definition, it was a muffed punt and officially recorded as one. It was just caused by Luter not getting out of the way, not by McCloud. McCloud did the right thing by trying to secure the ricocheted ball.
The heartbreaking loss in Las Vegas will have a lasting impact on the 49ers players who gave their all and still came up short. It was a game of missed opportunities, and the team watched the Chiefs once again snatch a championship out of their grasp.
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