The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions again.
Patrick Mahomes led his team to a stunning come-from-behind overtime victory, throwing the game-winning touchdown to Mecole Hardman in the final minute to put the Chiefs ahead 25-22.
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 11: Scores the winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl III at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024. Mecole Hardman Jr., No. 12 of the Kansas City Chiefs, celebrates. in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
The match became an instant classic and saw the teams trading leads throughout the contest. San Francisco dominated the first half, completely shutting out Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, holding him to just 1 yard before halftime and frustrating him enough to call his own coach on the sideline. It looked like he had become an abnormal person.
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 11: #87 Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs plays against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl III at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. reacted to head coach Andy Reid during the first half.Jamie Squire/Getty Images
However, Kelce and the Chiefs fought back hard in the second half to force overtime, with Kelce gaining 92 of his 93 yards counting leading up to overtime. (Related article: 49ers rookie Jake Moody-Nail hits 55-yard field goal, longest in Super Bowl history)
Despite San Francisco's best efforts, the Chiefs ended up acquiring Lombardi, their third player in the last five years and fourth in franchise history.
The game featured several unknown stars, including Hardman, who stole the game-winning touchdown from a New York Jets drifter in the season opener.
Mahomes to Lombardi's Mecole Hardman 😱🤯
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/lPVwGBasQj— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2024
On the other side of the ball, 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings, often overshadowed by the 49ers' myriad weapons, caught a touchdown and threw another, becoming the only player in Super Bowl history to do so. He joins Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles. according to To NFL Media.
I'll never forget what the Tennessee coach told me about Jauan Jennings' competitiveness. “He's trying to rip your face off.”
An all-time line that always sticks in my mind. And a big reason why Jennings became the NFL player he is today.#Draft begins on mobile™️ pic.twitter.com/pgkBL6apfh
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 12, 2024
The win solidified Andy Reid's Chiefs' legacy as a legitimate dynasty, but as Patrick Mahomes told ESPN after the game, the team isn't done yet.
Mahomes' third ring puts him three behind Tom Brady. At 28 years old, he still has a good chance of competing with Brady for the title of Greatest of All Time.
