San Francisco 49ers receiver Chris Conley put on his big boy pants and completely tied it up on Kansas City Chiefs punt returner Richie James Jr. with a hit worthy of the highlight of this Super Bowl LVIII. .
Conley, playing as a special teams gunner, jumped onto the field and the electric shock nearly ripped James' head off.
During the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII, former Kansas City Mayor Conley jumped down the field and virtually attacked Richie James, forcing him to make a Herculean effort to move completely horizontally.
Chris Conley shows how he's done on special teams 👏
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Streaming #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/vDkI9w5fvT— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
I have a lot of respect for Conley, who the Chiefs actually drafted as a receiver in 2015, and he takes great pride in and even enjoys his role as a special teamer.
Modern NFL receivers are typically divas. Never in a million years would I have imagined that Justin Jefferson would have such a hit.
But Conley, a nine-year NFL veteran, told me it wouldn't work if I hit today. (Related article: 'Keep Me In!': Travis Kelce furious at coach Andy Reid after costly Chiefs failure)
He has only caught three passes total. season To San Francisco. But he stepped up to hit the highlight hit in the biggest game of the year.
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 11: A teammate makes a special teams tackle in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl III on February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Chris Conley, No. 84 of the San Francisco 49ers, celebrates with his teammates. Nevada.Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Special teams are usually unannounced. But in this Super Bowl, it played a somewhat central role. The punters were great, not to mention the record for longest field goal in a Super Bowl was broken twice.
I sincerely admire Conley for bringing grit to a game that has gotten softer over the years.
