The Kansas City Chiefs brought home a fourth superbowl trophy at the 58th annual superbowl in Las Vegas last weekend. The game was very close, eventually tying at 19-19 at the end of the fourth quarter. Out of fifty-eight Super Bowls starting in 1967, 2024 was only the second year a Super Bowl has gone into overtime.

After winning the coin toss, Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers decided to take the ball first during overtime, causing great controversy. Patrick Mahomes, the Chief’s quarterback, ran off the field repeating; “They want it. They want the ball.” He quickly became ecstatic, jumping around the sidelines screaming. Travis Kelce, the Chief’s tight end, seemed equally shocked after hearing the 49ers had chosen to receive the ball first. 

Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was quoted saying “He was shocked, I was shocked, I think everyone was shocked. It’s like you’re going to give Patrick Mahomes the ball second and give him four downs. Someone’s getting fired.”

Travis Kelce, seemingly aware of the Super Bowl overtime rules, agreed with Mahomes. “We want them to have the ball. They want it they can have it,”

Kyle Shanahan was torn apart for this decision by many football fans. The complaints only grew louder when multiple San Francisco 49ers players claimed they weren’t aware of the Super Bowl overtime rules.

“Even if we score a touchdown, they still get the ball. I didn’t know that.” Kyle Juszczyk was recorded talking to a teammate and Kyle Shanahan after the decision was made.

When he met with reporters on Tuesday, Shanahan admitted that he did not go over the new rules with the 49ers team ahead of the Super Bowl. He insisted that he informed the coaches of the new rules and made them responsible for reiterating this information to the players. 

Regardless, the trophy is at home with the Kansas City Chiefs who, needless to say, were overjoyed to win a fourth Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes continued the victorious team’s tradition of uttering, “We’re going to Disneyland!’ after winning a Super Bowl. It seems like this victory will cost Mahomes even more than a trip to Disneyland, considering he promised the team if they kept the Super Bowl a ‘business trip’ and brought home the trophy, he would take everyone back to Vegas to celebrate. 

Unfortunately for them, something was lost in translation for the 49ers. 

What we’re all wondering is, would their choice and its outcome have been the same if they were fully informed?