Thrillingly, the Kansas City Chiefs won their third Super Bowl title in five seasons on Sunday. The game-winning drive late in the first overtime period was capped off with a spectacular Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.
The exciting finish to the game was confusing for the pass recipient, as Hardman wasn’t sure if the game was over. During Hardman’s postgame interview with NFL Network, Mahomes interrupted with a hilarious revelation about the moment.
“Can I tell a quick funny story?” said Mahomes, “I threw a touchdown to this dude (Hardman) to end the game. He looked at me and had no idea, and I said dude, we just won the Super Bowl. He had no idea, and I’m like, he didn’t even celebrate in the beginning. What are we doing?”
Mecole Hardman had no clue he caught the game-winning TD until @PatrickMahomes told him
pic.twitter.com/ZT9V37H8E1
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 12, 2024
Unlike regular season games, postseason games cannot end in a tie, so the overtime rules change slightly. According to the NFL, If the score is still tied at the end of an overtime period or the second team’s initial possession has not ended, the teams will play another overtime period. Play will continue regardless of how many overtime periods are needed for a winner to be determined.
Hardman was confused by the new postseason overtime rules that guaranteed both teams a possession in the game. “When I saw you run towards me, I was like, yeah, it’s time to celebrate now,” said Hardman, holding back laughter in the interview. The Chiefs took advantage of the 49ers being held to a field goal on their first possession, enabling the game-winning touchdown moment.