2. Missed illegal man downfield on the 49ers
In a memorable trick play drawn up by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, wide receiver Jauan Jennings threw a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey. At the time, the score put the 49ers up 10-0 with all the momentum in their favor. Unfortunately for the 49ers, the touchdown should not have counted.
Jennings became the first player in Super Bowl history to throw and catch a touchdown. Even if it comes with an asterisk, history was made. Boomer Esiason was the first pundit to point out the obvious issue with the Niners only touchdown of the first half.
CBS broadcaster and former NFL QB Boomer noted at halftime that 49ers C Jake Brendel should've been called for illegal man downfield on Christian McCaffrey's touchdown.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 12, 2024
San Francisco's TD should not have counted 🤔pic.twitter.com/RhaQVyIheX
As Esiason notes, 49ers center Jake Brendel was the lead blocker for McCaffrey, and was way downfield when the ball was caught. This should have amounted to an illegal man downfield penalty. A zoomed-out replay shows Brendel helped spur the McCaffrey score.
PURDY TO JENNINGS TO CMC FOR SIX 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/ktiTXIiHzS
While a memorable play in football lore, Chiefs fans were quick to point out the issues with said moment.