LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs meet at mid-field for the overtime coin toss during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Just how questionable was the San Francisco 49ers’ decision to start with the ball in overtime of Super Bowl 58? Apparently, so much so that the officials themselves asked the 49ers if they were sure about it.

The 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs were tied 19-19 after 60 minutes, and overtime was required to determine the Super Bowl champion. After winning the coin toss, the 49ers elected to start with the ball.

According to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce himself, even the officials were openly questioning the 49ers’ decision to start with the ball. Kelce explained the conversation during the latest edition of the “New Heights” podcast that he co-hosts with Jason Kelce (h/t Kristen Wong of Sports Illustrated):
“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. Not trying to harp on the guy, but…like, they said they wanted to receive, and the ref looked at Fred [Warner] and said, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure you want to receive?’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’”

The 49ers started with the ball in overtime and took the lead on a Jake Moody field goal. That meant the Chiefs would win with a touchdown, force sudden death with a field goal or lose entirely if they didn’t score.

Not to be denied, Patrick Mahomes pieced together a surgical drive that culminated with a game-winning three-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan continues to receive immense criticism over the decision to take the ball first. Of course, nobody would be questioning the call if the 49ers wound up winning the game.

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