Andy Reid in uniformLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks with the media after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs overturned a 10-point deficit and a furious Travis Kelce meltdown to beat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

Mecole Hardman caught the decisive touchdown pass delivered by Patrick Mahomes. Hardman’s touchdown sparked frenzied scenes both in the stadium and around the world, but he admitted he blacked out and doesn’t remember much.

 

It turns out, he actually wasn’t the primary option for that play.

According to Chiefs coach Andy Reid, Kansas City’s final play was supposed to unfold differently.
“(Running back Jerick) McKinnon is part of that,” Reid told NBC’s Peter King in a video that circulated online in the wake of the Chiefs’ victory. “And then (quarterback Patrick Mahomes) has a read. And we built ‘Corn Dog’ in, saying, ‘For sure they’ll cover Corn Dog.’”


Reid called it a “hard” play to defend.
“You’ve got to kind of pick what you’re gonna work on, what part you’re gonna cover,” he added. “I’m not questioning them because they’re too good to question. That group is phenomenal. It just worked out in our favor where we’re able to get the thing.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes masterminded the 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in overtime, which culminated in a three-yard pass to Hardman.

Since the play actually went to Hardman in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, he became the third player to win an NFL championship in overtime with a touchdown.

In 25 seasons as a head coach, Reid has won three Super Bowl titles, five conference championships, and 14 division titles. He’s had 18 double-digit win seasons. He’s fourth in NFL history with 258 wins and second in postseason wins with 26.