If it weren’t for a heads-up and selfless play by Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon, perhaps the team wouldn’t be celebrating a Super Bowl 57 championship.
A controversial holding penalty call on Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry against JuJu Smith-Schuster gave Kansas City a fresh set of downs with less than two minutes to go. Because Philly had just one timeout left, Kansas City was able to melt most of the clock for kicker Harrison Butker.
On first down, McKinnon took the handoff and had an easy path to the end zone. The Eagles were clearly trying to let McKinnon score, but the veteran running back wisely slid down short of the goal line. Butker then made a short field goal and helped the Chiefs to a 38-35 victory.
In a video posted by Harold R. Kuntz of FOX 4 K.C., McKinnon explained to reporters that the team has practiced this play many times, and that there was zero doubt on his mind to slide down and pass on the easy TD (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com):
“It wasn’t even a hesitation in my mind to score once I knew what situation we were in. It’s just been a blessing, man. All the reactions from the fans, the people. I couldn’t ask for anything better…
We practice that every week…I didn’t really think too much of it because that’s how we were coached. That’s how coach Reid coaches us. When that play came up, obviously, I didn’t understand the magnitude of it until after it happened to see everyone else’s reaction, it’s all been a blessing.”
McKinnon finished the Super Bowl game with 34 rushing yards on four carries as well as three receptions for 15 yards. Patrick Mahomes was named the MVP of the game after completing 21 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
