January 30, 2024 • 33 mins
Will Selva and MJ Acosta-Ruiz are back for another episode of El Huddle!
The Super Bowl match up is now set! First, we take a look at the match ups and some of their biggest moments that aided in securing victory for both the Chiefs and 49ers.
Next, we're joined by NFL reporter Omar Ruiz to discuss what it was like to witness the 49ers come from behind NFC Championship victory and this thoughts on Dan Campbells 2nd half decisions.
Finally, MJ is headed to the Pro Bowl and she lets us in on what to expect.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
A Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio, Pass.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Flowers, Oh the Flowers get last.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
What's good everybody?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
This is the l Huddle podcast where we celebrate the
Latino voices that make the NFL, the entertainment world and
everything go round.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
My name is Will sub alongside.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
My EDMANA, my Prima, My Prima edmana MG Casta, Louise.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Good to see you, Will, good to see you.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
I'm watching that.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Clip one of the PIVO one of the many pivotal
moments that sort of sealed sealed the fate for the
Ravens over the weekend, but brought us one step closer
to knowing that the Chiefs were yet again in the
Super I can't believe that's it. We're there, We have
our Super Bowl matchup Chiefs Nanas.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Forever.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Yeah, it wasn't aware. Patrick Mahomes is the Boogeyman. Okay,
never never ever discount that man ever. Wow.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, he's the zigzag Man. He's whatever you want to
call him. He's Freddy Krueger from Friday thirteenth. He's or no,
that's Nightmare on Elm Street. I'm getting my my or flicks. Yeah, yeah,
Jason from Friday thirteenth. Yeah, you just can't. You can't
stop him. He's honestly like you know, like you keep
trying to like step on it, step on, step in.
(01:49):
It keeps moving right, keeps going. And Patrick Mahomes is
a player that I do feel like we just take
for granted because they are in this thing year in
and year out, and he is a lot like the
modern day Tom Brady now where you just expect him
to win, You expect him to be in the mix,
(02:09):
no matter how talented or how less talented the team is.
He's always there. And you look at what he's done
before turning thirty. He has fourteen postseason wins. Tom Brady
had twelve, yep for the age of thirty. So Patrick
Mahomes is doing other worldly things. And him and Travis
(02:32):
Kelcey and Kelsey playing seventeen postseason games. I mean, that's
a full season that they're playing and just absolute brilliance.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
From the both of them.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
And of course they're future Hall of Fame coach and
Andy Reid.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
I think, and we touched about on this a little
bit before the championship Sunday. But the way you know
that Mahomes and the Chiefs have really reached a new
level in what they can do there is the amount
of people rooting against them at this point. It's very
relicent when the Patriots in New England went on that
ridiculous run right where people are like, I don't want
(03:08):
to see the Chiefs again.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Am I guilty of that?
Speaker 1 (03:10):
You'll never know, but it's true, like once you start
winning and you're winning a lot, and you're winning decisively
regardless of what weapons do you have there, I mean,
there's something to be said to your point about the
Kelsey and Mahomes connection.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
It's just special. It's different.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
But when you think of Rushid Rice, when you think
of I say up a checko from last year to
this year, and like last year everyone thought, oh it's
a rebuilding year. Oh really, because they went all the
way next to way I won it with I think
more rookies than anybody else who was in the post
seats and last year. So it's just a testament not
over to them and shouts out to Andy Reid and
what he can come up with and how he can
(03:49):
dismantle teams like the Ravens, who are one of the
most consistently dominant teams throughout the entire season, and then
they fell at home.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
And I don't think they just fell. I don't think
it was a collapse.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
I think Andy Reid was more than ready to make
sure that his team walked away with the AFC Championship
and a spot in the Super Bowl. So, you know what,
hate them, love them, but the Chiefs are there and
they are damn good.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yeah, the Equadora right, I am right there with you.
And we got to give a shout out to Steve
Spagnola too. That defense was constantly putting pressure on Lamar Jackson,
and I don't know if you know Todd Monkin, the
OC for the Ravens, he got a little flustered because
they never ran the ball in the second half, which
(04:37):
I thought that that they should stick with, not abandoned
so quickly. So they were forcing Lamar to throw more
and they just were were putting so much pressure on
him where it clearly got to him. He threw that
interception which was a backbreaker. And then before that, as
we heard the call with Jay Flowers and that great
(04:58):
play from Lugerious Snead, who that guy is just a
baller and he doesn't get enough recognition for how good
he is.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
And then Flowers.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
You know, then then before that, I believe on that drive,
the taunting, which was totally unnecessary and it's such.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
A rookie thing.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Those are the sorts of things where that's like fifteen
yards that.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
You need you need against this team. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Absolutely, And so now though they're going to be a
little shorthanded because Charles Mena, who he's out with an
acl so he's not going to be able to play
in the super Bowl. So that is I think going
to affect things for Spagnolo. I still think that they're
going to be ready and Andy Reid's going to get
them ready. And you know, listen, I just wanted to
(05:44):
see that point, it really is. I mean, I just
would have wanted to see the Ravens at least put
it more of a fight and not go out with
a whimper. Right, That's the only thing I would have wanted,
just to really see them give their best shot here,
and I don't think that actually saw it.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, So that's one where we're going to see the Chiefs.
They'll they'll be there'll be plenty of people hitting on
them because of their brilliance over the last few years.
They're also going to be hating on the fact that
Taylor Swift is potentially going to be there. There's speculation
about whether she is or she is You think that
one hundred percent she's going to be there.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
She has she has a concert in Japan. Do you
think that she's going to be there.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
She can literally change, like change the time continuum at
this point.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
If she she has people doing anything.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Absolutely, there's no scenario where she misses the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
They'll they'll hold the game, they'll hold kickoff until.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
You're probably right, But you're probably right.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I could see her being there, and I know there
is a contingent of people that are like, oh, please,
collective eye roll, we have to see more of Taylor Swift.
The reality is like Taylor Swift is not asking for
the attention. She is there to cheer on her boyfriend
who happens to be playing on the Kansas City Chiefs,
and she happens to be the biggest pop star in
the world, at least one of the biggest ones in
(07:10):
the world. And I think you could tell like she
just is not seeking that out but obviously.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Forms the territory for her.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yeah, for like a network director, producer, They're going to
focus in on her because she's a part of it.
Uh So that's going to be another reason why people
are going to hate the Chiefs, which brings us ob
now to the forty nine ers, who. Wow, they just
I don't know if they needed to fall behind in
order to get that focus or something. But that first
(07:42):
half reminded me of True Detective Night Country. It's a
little horrifying, but it's engrossing. I don't know if you've
watched it, it's excellent.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Yet it's.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Okay, he says, it's a very good show. I've seen
other True Detectives.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
I'm just this is my first season of watching. I
didn't watch the other really suppose.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Contained so, yes, yes, I agree, I did watch season one. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So, but it's reminded me of the fact that like,
I can't handle snow. I mean, I lived in it
for five years. So looking at this series and watching it,
it's just like, no, it's too much.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Fine with one. I know you're right there with me.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
It was scary to watch, Like I for a second there,
it's like, Okay, Lions. Oh snap, like, is this is
this really happening? I was checking constantly on our girl,
Cynthia Freeland. I face timed her a couple of times,
just so Lions fans. But at the end of the day,
you have to be able to close out. You have
(08:43):
to be able to close out the game. Like A
tough loss just doesn't cut it at this point, especially
when you're one step away from the Super Bowl. Right, So,
I think credit to the forty nine ers for being
able to rally back, But in my opinion, that is
not the recipe to go up against the Chiefs in
(09:03):
the Super Bowl. I mean, they were there just four
years ago, Super Bowl fifty four Miami.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Do you remember that. I remember vividly.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
I was there and we were prepping because all the
way through halftime it looked like the forty nine Ers
had it sealed up. What I think will be a
bad day for the forty nine ers is if they
fall behind against the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I think, totally right, they.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Don't let off the gas. They don't. I think the
Niners almost have to play a perfect game.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, or a near perfect game, right, because we saw
them against the Packers too. They had to come back
against them. I think they need to figure out that
run defense and really tighten it up to start.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Because Aaron all Over, yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yes, yes, and David Montgomery and Jamior Gibbs. But then
in the second half, you know, Josh Reynolds drops passes,
they go for it obviously on fourth down. And and
Dan Campbell, Dan Gamble, if you want to call him,
that goes four.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Again, that's the identity of the team. And I understand
the philosophy.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
But I've said this before about other signal or or
I should say, other play callers or other coaches. You
know that we've said about Shanahan or McDaniel or McVeigh
some of these guys who are younger, who who I
think sometimes they just maybe overthink things and sometimes maybe
not going with the instinct. And this was this was
an occasion where I thought, you know what, maybe go
(10:30):
with the points because you don't have to convince your
team that you believe in them.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
You do already believe you know that, and they believe
in you.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Yeah, right, they already know that. I agree.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
But how were you feeling? And how was your son
Ben feeling throughout the game. He's like our tiny but
mighty forty nine Ers fan. We know several fans of
the Niners in this building who were near cardiac arrest.
How was it at your household?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Well, so we went over to somebody else's house. There
was a bunch of forty nine Er fans there, and
there was genuine concern where we thought, Okay, this is
this is is the the Lions game, this is their
seasonary team of destiny. So I think there was actually
some resignation where we thought, oh boy, trying to come back,
because again the forty nine Ers, outside of that Packers
(11:16):
game where they came back, they haven't been known to
rally when they've been down with these Kyle Shanahan teams.
So I think there was some resignation that, you know, well, hey,
this is this is.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Just the Lions deal. They had in the house.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Barry Sanders at Eminem, you know, went flipping off forty.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Five mom Sagan to the back. I was kind of
want one.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
It was actually kind of cool, right, I mean only
Eminem right.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
So so then when when the second half started started
and then the brand and I you catch I mean
everybody was losing their minds because that was a play
in forty andres history where if you go back, obviously
the catch, the Tara Lowans catch against the Packers, like
(12:06):
it's in that category, I feel like, and that really
changed everything, and so that just energized everybody, and everybody
was going insane crazy.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
I mean pretty end of the day, twenty of thirty one,
two hundred and sixty seven pass yards, a touchdown, and
a pick. So I mean he rose to the occasion
in the back end when they really really needed him to.
But again, like you have to be that way throughout
the entire game. At the Super Bowl, how do you
feel about his performance and what's to come now on
(12:40):
the Super Bowl stage?
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Honestly, I think, well, we'll see how his.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Nerves handle such a big stage, right because you never
know and is foreign to him, it's new to him.
But he does have guys around him who are familiar
with the experienced Kittle use check a guy Warner, so
he is surrounded by guys who have experience. I hope
that he uses his legs again. Yeah, I think he's
(13:06):
going to keep the defense honest, and you know, we
saw Carloftis and and Mena who he just mentioned is
hurt I mean, just get after after Lamar Jackson. So
I think I think he's just gonna have to use
his his legs more. And I think that he's shown
you could be clutch making those those throws when he
has to, he can, and he's not afraid to stand
(13:27):
in the pocket and take a hit and deliver when
he has to.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
And I think this team believes in them.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
And I think if if Kyle Shanahan can just make
that right, you know, that right game plan for him
to continue to to at least not not play to lose.
You got to play to win and try to play
keep away from the mahomes led offense.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I think a big thing for about brock Paridy is
we've seen him in really intense moments and he doesn't
seem frazzled to me. But I think there's something to
be said about And my mom always says this. You know,
when you're when you're in a hurry, so you're trying
to rush and then like you do something and not
over the water bottle and now you have to clean
up the water.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
It makes you even more late, right, She always says.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Anna Espasio gestoy de brisa, which means slow down. Because
I'm in a hurry. And when you think about it,
it's true if you just you try to hurry more
because you know that you're late, and you end up
just mounting on top of it. And I think we
saw a little bit of that in this game, in
terms of maybe being frantic because you know you're behind
(14:30):
and like things just keep piling on. Now he was
able to course correct at the end, but I think
the key will be an Espasioto de Brisa in terms
of keep the pace, stay in control, and don't get frazzled,
don't do more things like don't throw an interception.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Don't you know any.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Of these things that can make you be more behind
or lates to have you dig out of a hole,
because it's not going to work out the same against
the chiefs, so perty, if anything, just think of Maria Acosta.
Sure that's top of mind for him. Yea, as as
you're going there, Mama Maria always has the same but
they're always true and happened to you.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Imagine it says like you know he's in the huddle,
It's okay, Maria, what are those dress right?
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Break?
Speaker 3 (15:12):
You know? Maybe not?
Speaker 4 (15:13):
He could be the call I.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
Can see yell, come on. I know he would, but.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
It was an incredible sight and coming up right here
our colleague.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Are prival no relationship. Maybe Omar Ruiz is coming on
the show.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
He was there, he was on the field, he was
there for the entire game. He's been covering the Niners
throughout the entire season. He will be here to recap
what was an emotional and exciting uh NFC championship game.
On the other side of the break here on the
in Huddle podcast, well.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
I'm not giving game. This is just detection.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
The athletic calls it the immaculate deflection. Just one of
those memorable catches. And mj our next guest was actually there.
He's been covering out just the NFL, but the forty
nine ers in this magic carpet ride that they're on,
talk about like, what is the familia we're talking about
our guy, we work with them at NFL Media.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Omar d Ruiz.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Initial, we've reached our Ruiz quota. I need to get
a selv in here to to make this Haney.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Equal what this is a long time coming.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
Man.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
We've been wanting to get Omar here, but you know,
our bosses keep them all over the place, all over
the country.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
It's oh tough.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
So we're so happy that you're here and we're watching
that clip. Of course Omar of that incredible catch. That
was more of the turning point in the game for
the Niners to walk us through this because it very
much literally a game a story of two halves. So
let's start with the first half, which was rough for
Niners fans to watch. What was the atmosphere going into
halftime over at Levi Stadium.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
Well, it was quiet. You can imagine the shock in
all of Niner Nation at Levi Stadium expecting this coronation
of the forty nine ers and the number one seed,
and all year long they have aimed for this top
seed in the NFC so they could get the home
field advantage, and the Lions did whatever they wanted in
the first half offensively, the forty nine Ers couldn't get
(17:50):
anything going, and just to put matters into even more perspective,
at halftime, legendary band Bay Area band Journey was playing,
so they were expecting them to get the crowd rocking
and rolling the old school songs to pump up the crowd,
and then of course they start playing don't stop believing, right,
(18:11):
and then he said, so then there's you know, it's
just a city boy from South Detroit and crazy and
so it's like everything that could go wrong for the
forty nine ers went wrong in the first half, including
including getting the halftime crowd fired up for the Lions fans.
And but then, but then you mentioned the Brandon au
(18:32):
catch and the immaculate deflection really was you know, the
turning the turning point right, and then you know, a
couple of plays later they scored the touchdown, and then
the ensuing possession Lions fumbled the ball and then in
a moment's notice, the game was tied, and obviously the
rest is history. But that will go down Well, you
grew up in San Francisco, MJ. You covered the Niners
(18:54):
for a while. You know about the catch. You know
about the catch too, you know about the catch three,
all the signature moments in forty nine er history, and
Brandon Ayuk's NFC Championship game immaculate deflection will go down
in that nine or lore as well, I think for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Yeah, well, Omer, what did you think of Dan Gamble
and Dan Gamble going.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
For it on fourth down?
Speaker 2 (19:16):
He's been taking a lot of heat over it, because
those were those just added to what we saw and
what the result ended up becoming.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
Yeah, I didn't mind the second half fourth down going
for it's because that's what they've been all season long.
The one I did mind, though, The one I did
mine was in the first half, at the end of
the first half, fourth and goal from the three. It's
twenty one to seven. They could go for the jugular
right there before halftime, but instead they kicked the fyo goal,
(19:49):
and so they went up twenty four to seven. Which
I didn't mind that decision, you know, that's I'm more
of that old school kind of logical you take the
points when you can get them kind of thing. But
the fact that he played it conservatively there at that
point when he could have gone for the jugular instead
of and then and then changed going back to the
way he had done things all season in the second half,
(20:12):
I just didn't like that inconsistency. Yeah, but specifically those
fourth down calls in the second half. It's it's what
they are, it's who they are.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Yeah, and uh and.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Obviously well, and I think the thing I appreciated most
maybe about all of that, was his comments after the game,
appreciating the scrutiny, appreciating the questions, not getting defensive about it.
He he just said, hey, it's on me. I believe
in my team. I don't regret it, but I understand
your guys' questions. And I think that said a lot
(20:43):
about his character, why he's ingratiated himself to that locker room,
why he's endeared himself to the organization and the community.
And I think that says a lot about Dan Campbell,
the fact that they didn't get it, and the humility
to admit that it was. It was. He didn't regret
the decision, but obviously it didn't work out for them.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Yeah, that's a good way to defuse the postgame press
conference room as well, which he's excellent at. So drink
it back to the Niner side, because obviously we keep
talking about how reminiscent this is of the Super Bowl
fifty four when they went up against the Chiefs in Miami,
and on the lead up to that. You know, I
was covering that NFC championship game at Levi Stadium that
(21:23):
year as well, and I remember I was maybe like one.
It was John Lynch, his security and then me on
the sideline because just like you did, Omar, you have
to run out there to get that postgame interview. They're
setting up the stage for the trophy ceremony. It is
absolute chaos in the best possible way in those moments
leading up to the end of the game, as you're
(21:43):
on the sideline, What do you remember seeing and what
did it feel like there?
Speaker 5 (21:49):
Well, it was incredible because the Fox set was there
because of course they had right you know, Jimmy Howie
and Kurt mean I Fee and Jake Glazer, all those
guys were there. Ray Hanna was there in the stadium
and their big, huge set was behind the quarter of
the field that we were gathering around. And so Aaron
Andrews is right there next to me, and and you know,
(22:11):
she's asking for her post game requests. I'm asking for mine.
All the other national media that are there are lining
up for their interviews. And I remember when the Lions
were about to kick the onside kick and I looked
at Aaron, I said, hey, you were there in Seattle
when they kicked the on side kick against Green Bay
and that NFC Championship game. And it took her a
(22:34):
second to remember she's like, oh yeah, so we kind
of because at that point, I think once the Niners
went up ten late in the game, you just kind
of thought, Okay, well it's probably over. But then the
Lions scored that touchdown. We've seen crazy things happen, so
we kind of had a refocus on the game itself
rather than the interviews that we're pursuing. And you know
how chaotic it is. After the game, they had lined
(22:56):
up Nick Bosa for us, a couple of sacks and
you know, one of the defensive heroes of the game
for the Niners. Once we got out there, we never
saw Nick Bosa end up getting. Yeah, we ended up
getting you know, Brock Purdy and Brendon Ayuk and Trent
Williams and between Stacy Dale's and I Debo and and
Fred Warner and you know, George Kittle and you know
had some great interviews, but the one that they had
(23:18):
intended to set up for us didn't even happen. But
we just saw some great moments, you know, and just
great interviews. Just getting that raw emotion from the guys
is just truly unmatched that you could really only get
at a championship game or a Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And those were great interviews too, Mjay that that that
omark got there on the field. We've been running them
on Good Morning Football and just to see like like
Purty still seemed like he was thankful for the moment,
but also still seemed kind of business like. And Kittle
was just soaking it all in and being, you know,
(23:54):
this gregarious personality which he always is all the time.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
And you rustually making a joke with him.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
Yeah, did you? And now it turns out NFL Films
actually caught him saying early in the game that he
was telling Brock Purdy because you guys probably remember that
viral video a few years ago where some kid was
getting or a coach or a player was getting interviewed
in a high school game somewhere and he said, they
had us in the first half, not a lie. Yeah,
(24:20):
so that clip, So that clip went viral, right, So
George Kittle in our interview, I say, hey, George, you
guys were down twenty four to seven at the half,
but came back to win. How did you do it?
And then he goes, they had us in the first half,
not and a lie.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
Timing is perfect, yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:39):
Just comedic timing. His wit is just you know, we
just described how chaotic it is down there on the field,
and for him to have his comedic wit still on
point like that, so he gives that line, he gives
the rest of the answer about them fighting back and
you know all that. And then I said, hey, I
saw what you did there, and his face lit up
about you know, me recognizing the joke. And as it
turns out, NFL films got him saying that to Brock
(25:01):
s Grady like in the second quarter he said, yeah,
he said, Hey, at the end of this game, I'm
gonna do all my interviews and I'm gonna say they
got us in the first half. I'm not gonna lie.
And and he's like, I can't wait to say that
because we're gonna come back and win. And so the
fact that he called his shot and then still delivered
all that. And then when when he was up there
with the with the championship ceremony with Michael Strahan, he
(25:22):
set it up there on the stage in the in
the big screen and uh, and yeah, I mean, George
kill he really is one of a kind. Yeah, And
and you know, but they all they all their own
respective moments, you know, great interviews and like you said,
Prudy was him so focused. Deebo Samuel was just so
relieved to get through that game as much pain as
he was in with his shoulder and and still led
(25:43):
the team in receiving and and all the guys you know,
had their heroic moments and just a joyous occasion for
the nine or faithful.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
There there was a meme, a series of memes of
back party walking in like his game day entrance. He's
and his khakis and his little like uh jacket, and
all the different memes were like, it looks like Shanahan
just called in purty to to reboot the.
Speaker 4 (26:08):
I mean, I just can't.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
But like whatever he gets out there and wins, they're like, oh,
my man just came from a Cole's commercial shoot.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
Leave him alone.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
He knows his style, he knows who he is. As
long as he keeps getting dumbs, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
But you know who they are.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
Yeah, but you know what's cool, And I think this
is a reflection of that poise that he always carries
himself with, is those celebrations when when they score a touchdown,
when he throws a touchdown pass, when he makes a
big play, he goes nuts and so at that point,
that's when he lets all that emotion out, and that's
that's neat to see. It's cool to see that side
of him because he is so poised and diligent and
(26:47):
focused all the time. To see that side of his
personality in those moments, and his teammates feet off of that.
They know when when Brock is letting loose, you know,
this is the guy we want to follow and follow
they certainly have and they're going to continue to follow
him to Vegas.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
So are you going to be going to Vegas more?
Speaker 5 (27:05):
Yeah? I go on Sunday. I'm not sure if we're
gonna get the rivals you know as a plane arrives,
but I'll be there. It'll be the I mean, you guys.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Know you're gonna be at is where you're gonna be.
You're gonna be hanging there at You're gonna be staying.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
At the DoD.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
I think that's for like the media, like.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
One of the.
Speaker 4 (27:28):
Serious excellent.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
By them with the chips and that'll walk them on there.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
Yeah, now we're talking, baby.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Thank you for getting us through that, all right, Stay hydrated,
my friend, A long week ahead, Thank.
Speaker 5 (27:47):
You, Thank you, there fridrated rested all of it, got
a prep now.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
Literally, thanks, you're the best man, Love you too.
Speaker 5 (27:55):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Trega MacCaffrey.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
And Bartigo seven mm hmmm.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
Does Christian McCaffrey levitate.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
I mean it's it's almost supernatural, the way he can
just run through people.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
I mean he was untouched in that. By the way.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Shout out to his fiance Olivia Copo former Miss Universe.
If you guys didn't know, she was also rocking custom
Kristin Uschek gear at the game. Congratulations to Kristin, who
now has a licensing deal with the NFL.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
I love this for her. Okay, entrepreneur designer now she's
official official For those who don't will, she's been She's
not new to this game.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
She's been designing outfits for game days for years and
years and years right now wearing her stuff. So they're like,
thanks everybody else for catching on. How do we get
a custom in huddle? Uh? Yeah, our budget, because I'm
sure yesterday's price is not today's price.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
I can guarantee it's changed.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Well, we see like Klay Thompson, he wore it uh
before a uh Warrior game.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
So so good for her.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
You know, I'm gonna go into the eat boom thor
maybe that is and eat bunto right there, like good
for for Christian Christen to have that, and good for
the use checks to have that.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Uh you know.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
For me, my bunto is that we see the forty
nine ers and the Chiefs are gonna be wearing the
same color uniforms that they wore when they last faced
each other in in Miami.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
Yep, and uh, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
It's I would have loved to have seen the forty
nine ers in their in their home jerseys. Would have
been so great, you know.
Speaker 4 (29:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
So I don't know if there if that's something going
to be an omen or something that the uh the
Chiefs are going to to.
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Grab on to.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I don't know, but you know, players are superstitious, so yes,
to reimagine that the Chiefs are again the home team
like this is this is going to be interesting. But
the reason they do that, guys, it's especially for situations
like this where the team colors are the same almost. Yeah,
that way, we're not just working at a bunch of
(30:28):
red on the field, So it's going to be interesting.
Speaker 4 (30:33):
My punto is that.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
You know, super Bowl is such a huge everybody compares
their biggest moment of the year to the super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
Oh, this is the super Bowl of X, this is
a super Bowl of why this is my super Bowl
this week? Blah blah blah. Right, and we are blessed
enough again to relive this in the job that we do.
Speaker 1 (30:57):
I know you don't take it for granted, will neither
do I Like, I think sometimes the season can feel
so long, and then playoffs gives us this other jolt
and then Super Bowl is the craziest week of the year.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
And man, this is really really cool.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Like going back to our last week's episode where we
talked to Leo, like, this is what we do for
a living, like crazy, right, we got to share with
all of you guys with and especially this year, Like
one of my mantras for the year was to be
in the moment, to be present, and to take account
(31:31):
of the things that are really really special. And we're
very lucky to do this job and to be able
to live this every single day.
Speaker 4 (31:38):
So I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
You guys can't wait for us to bring to life
the super Bowl, to bring it to you, to be
your ohitos and your Oahitas from Vegas. While while we
live this, it's very very cool.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
I see, yes, we bang it story of that querta
though again, I am totally in agreement with you.
Speaker 3 (31:56):
We are at this point in time, the culmination.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
And listen, these are our two storied franchises.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
Yeah, going head to head.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Let's just get a good game. Unless be entertained.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
I think we will. And no well as well, no
other scenario.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
They're gonna They're gonna fight for their lives out out
of the field. So it's gonna be great.
Speaker 4 (32:18):
I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Guys, continue to follow us, like, subscribe, share it, and
let us tell what you guys think.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
What do you want to hear?
Speaker 1 (32:25):
Especially as we're getting ready to set foot in Orlando
for Pro Bowl and in Super Bowl. We have even
more access than normal, so you know, tweet us or
what is it ex us? Uh, we're really more active
on Instagram, So just hit us up there and let
us know who you want to hear from and what
you want to see.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Will as always, man, this is it, We're there, we
made it.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Who knew?
Speaker 5 (32:54):
Look at us?
Speaker 4 (33:14):
In Huddle is a.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio. For more
podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
wherever you get your podcasts.
A Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio, Pass.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Flowers, Oh the Flowers get last.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
What's good everybody?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
This is the l Huddle podcast where we celebrate the
Latino voices that make the NFL, the entertainment world and
everything go round.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
My name is Will sub alongside.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
My EDMANA, my Prima, My Prima edmana MG Casta, Louise.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Good to see you, Will, good to see you.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
I'm watching that.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Clip one of the PIVO one of the many pivotal
moments that sort of sealed sealed the fate for the
Ravens over the weekend, but brought us one step closer
to knowing that the Chiefs were yet again in the
Super I can't believe that's it. We're there, We have
our Super Bowl matchup Chiefs Nanas.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Forever.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Yeah, it wasn't aware. Patrick Mahomes is the Boogeyman. Okay,
never never ever discount that man ever. Wow.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, he's the zigzag Man. He's whatever you want to
call him. He's Freddy Krueger from Friday thirteenth. He's or no,
that's Nightmare on Elm Street. I'm getting my my or flicks. Yeah, yeah,
Jason from Friday thirteenth. Yeah, you just can't. You can't
stop him. He's honestly like you know, like you keep
trying to like step on it, step on, step in.
(01:49):
It keeps moving right, keeps going. And Patrick Mahomes is
a player that I do feel like we just take
for granted because they are in this thing year in
and year out, and he is a lot like the
modern day Tom Brady now where you just expect him
to win, You expect him to be in the mix,
(02:09):
no matter how talented or how less talented the team is.
He's always there. And you look at what he's done
before turning thirty. He has fourteen postseason wins. Tom Brady
had twelve, yep for the age of thirty. So Patrick
Mahomes is doing other worldly things. And him and Travis
(02:32):
Kelcey and Kelsey playing seventeen postseason games. I mean, that's
a full season that they're playing and just absolute brilliance.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
From the both of them.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
And of course they're future Hall of Fame coach and
Andy Reid.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
I think, and we touched about on this a little
bit before the championship Sunday. But the way you know
that Mahomes and the Chiefs have really reached a new
level in what they can do there is the amount
of people rooting against them at this point. It's very
relicent when the Patriots in New England went on that
ridiculous run right where people are like, I don't want
(03:08):
to see the Chiefs again.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Am I guilty of that?
Speaker 1 (03:10):
You'll never know, but it's true, like once you start
winning and you're winning a lot, and you're winning decisively
regardless of what weapons do you have there, I mean,
there's something to be said to your point about the
Kelsey and Mahomes connection.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
It's just special. It's different.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
But when you think of Rushid Rice, when you think
of I say up a checko from last year to
this year, and like last year everyone thought, oh it's
a rebuilding year. Oh really, because they went all the
way next to way I won it with I think
more rookies than anybody else who was in the post
seats and last year. So it's just a testament not
over to them and shouts out to Andy Reid and
what he can come up with and how he can
(03:49):
dismantle teams like the Ravens, who are one of the
most consistently dominant teams throughout the entire season, and then
they fell at home.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
And I don't think they just fell. I don't think
it was a collapse.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
I think Andy Reid was more than ready to make
sure that his team walked away with the AFC Championship
and a spot in the Super Bowl. So, you know what,
hate them, love them, but the Chiefs are there and
they are damn good.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yeah, the Equadora right, I am right there with you.
And we got to give a shout out to Steve
Spagnola too. That defense was constantly putting pressure on Lamar Jackson,
and I don't know if you know Todd Monkin, the
OC for the Ravens, he got a little flustered because
they never ran the ball in the second half, which
(04:37):
I thought that that they should stick with, not abandoned
so quickly. So they were forcing Lamar to throw more
and they just were were putting so much pressure on
him where it clearly got to him. He threw that
interception which was a backbreaker. And then before that, as
we heard the call with Jay Flowers and that great
(04:58):
play from Lugerious Snead, who that guy is just a
baller and he doesn't get enough recognition for how good
he is.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
And then Flowers.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
You know, then then before that, I believe on that drive,
the taunting, which was totally unnecessary and it's such.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
A rookie thing.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Those are the sorts of things where that's like fifteen
yards that.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
You need you need against this team. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Absolutely, And so now though they're going to be a
little shorthanded because Charles Mena, who he's out with an
acl so he's not going to be able to play
in the super Bowl. So that is I think going
to affect things for Spagnolo. I still think that they're
going to be ready and Andy Reid's going to get
them ready. And you know, listen, I just wanted to
(05:44):
see that point, it really is. I mean, I just
would have wanted to see the Ravens at least put
it more of a fight and not go out with
a whimper. Right, That's the only thing I would have wanted,
just to really see them give their best shot here,
and I don't think that actually saw it.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah, So that's one where we're going to see the Chiefs.
They'll they'll be there'll be plenty of people hitting on
them because of their brilliance over the last few years.
They're also going to be hating on the fact that
Taylor Swift is potentially going to be there. There's speculation
about whether she is or she is You think that
one hundred percent she's going to be there.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
She has she has a concert in Japan. Do you
think that she's going to be there.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
She can literally change, like change the time continuum at
this point.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
If she she has people doing anything.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Absolutely, there's no scenario where she misses the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
They'll they'll hold the game, they'll hold kickoff until.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
You're probably right, But you're probably right.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I could see her being there, and I know there
is a contingent of people that are like, oh, please,
collective eye roll, we have to see more of Taylor Swift.
The reality is like Taylor Swift is not asking for
the attention. She is there to cheer on her boyfriend
who happens to be playing on the Kansas City Chiefs,
and she happens to be the biggest pop star in
the world, at least one of the biggest ones in
(07:10):
the world. And I think you could tell like she
just is not seeking that out but obviously.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Forms the territory for her.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yeah, for like a network director, producer, They're going to
focus in on her because she's a part of it.
Uh So that's going to be another reason why people
are going to hate the Chiefs, which brings us ob
now to the forty nine ers, who. Wow, they just
I don't know if they needed to fall behind in
order to get that focus or something. But that first
(07:42):
half reminded me of True Detective Night Country. It's a
little horrifying, but it's engrossing. I don't know if you've
watched it, it's excellent.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Yet it's.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Okay, he says, it's a very good show. I've seen
other True Detectives.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
I'm just this is my first season of watching. I
didn't watch the other really suppose.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Contained so, yes, yes, I agree, I did watch season one. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So, but it's reminded me of the fact that like,
I can't handle snow. I mean, I lived in it
for five years. So looking at this series and watching it,
it's just like, no, it's too much.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Fine with one. I know you're right there with me.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
It was scary to watch, Like I for a second there,
it's like, Okay, Lions. Oh snap, like, is this is
this really happening? I was checking constantly on our girl,
Cynthia Freeland. I face timed her a couple of times,
just so Lions fans. But at the end of the day,
you have to be able to close out. You have
(08:43):
to be able to close out the game. Like A
tough loss just doesn't cut it at this point, especially
when you're one step away from the Super Bowl. Right, So,
I think credit to the forty nine ers for being
able to rally back, But in my opinion, that is
not the recipe to go up against the Chiefs in
(09:03):
the Super Bowl. I mean, they were there just four
years ago, Super Bowl fifty four Miami.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Do you remember that. I remember vividly.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
I was there and we were prepping because all the
way through halftime it looked like the forty nine Ers
had it sealed up. What I think will be a
bad day for the forty nine ers is if they
fall behind against the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I think, totally right, they.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Don't let off the gas. They don't. I think the
Niners almost have to play a perfect game.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, or a near perfect game, right, because we saw
them against the Packers too. They had to come back
against them. I think they need to figure out that
run defense and really tighten it up to start.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Because Aaron all Over, yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yes, yes, and David Montgomery and Jamior Gibbs. But then
in the second half, you know, Josh Reynolds drops passes,
they go for it obviously on fourth down. And and
Dan Campbell, Dan Gamble, if you want to call him,
that goes four.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Again, that's the identity of the team. And I understand
the philosophy.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
But I've said this before about other signal or or
I should say, other play callers or other coaches. You
know that we've said about Shanahan or McDaniel or McVeigh
some of these guys who are younger, who who I
think sometimes they just maybe overthink things and sometimes maybe
not going with the instinct. And this was this was
an occasion where I thought, you know what, maybe go
(10:30):
with the points because you don't have to convince your
team that you believe in them.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
You do already believe you know that, and they believe
in you.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Yeah, right, they already know that. I agree.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
But how were you feeling? And how was your son
Ben feeling throughout the game. He's like our tiny but
mighty forty nine Ers fan. We know several fans of
the Niners in this building who were near cardiac arrest.
How was it at your household?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Well, so we went over to somebody else's house. There
was a bunch of forty nine Er fans there, and
there was genuine concern where we thought, Okay, this is
this is is the the Lions game, this is their
seasonary team of destiny. So I think there was actually
some resignation where we thought, oh boy, trying to come back,
because again the forty nine Ers, outside of that Packers
(11:16):
game where they came back, they haven't been known to
rally when they've been down with these Kyle Shanahan teams.
So I think there was some resignation that, you know, well, hey,
this is this is.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Just the Lions deal. They had in the house.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Barry Sanders at Eminem, you know, went flipping off forty.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Five mom Sagan to the back. I was kind of
want one.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
It was actually kind of cool, right, I mean only
Eminem right.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
So so then when when the second half started started
and then the brand and I you catch I mean
everybody was losing their minds because that was a play
in forty andres history where if you go back, obviously
the catch, the Tara Lowans catch against the Packers, like
(12:06):
it's in that category, I feel like, and that really
changed everything, and so that just energized everybody, and everybody
was going insane crazy.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
I mean pretty end of the day, twenty of thirty one,
two hundred and sixty seven pass yards, a touchdown, and
a pick. So I mean he rose to the occasion
in the back end when they really really needed him to.
But again, like you have to be that way throughout
the entire game. At the Super Bowl, how do you
feel about his performance and what's to come now on
(12:40):
the Super Bowl stage?
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Honestly, I think, well, we'll see how his.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Nerves handle such a big stage, right because you never
know and is foreign to him, it's new to him.
But he does have guys around him who are familiar
with the experienced Kittle use check a guy Warner, so
he is surrounded by guys who have experience. I hope
that he uses his legs again. Yeah, I think he's
(13:06):
going to keep the defense honest, and you know, we
saw Carloftis and and Mena who he just mentioned is
hurt I mean, just get after after Lamar Jackson. So
I think I think he's just gonna have to use
his his legs more. And I think that he's shown
you could be clutch making those those throws when he
has to, he can, and he's not afraid to stand
(13:27):
in the pocket and take a hit and deliver when
he has to.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
And I think this team believes in them.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
And I think if if Kyle Shanahan can just make
that right, you know, that right game plan for him
to continue to to at least not not play to lose.
You got to play to win and try to play
keep away from the mahomes led offense.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I think a big thing for about brock Paridy is
we've seen him in really intense moments and he doesn't
seem frazzled to me. But I think there's something to
be said about And my mom always says this. You know,
when you're when you're in a hurry, so you're trying
to rush and then like you do something and not
over the water bottle and now you have to clean
up the water.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
It makes you even more late, right, She always says.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Anna Espasio gestoy de brisa, which means slow down. Because
I'm in a hurry. And when you think about it,
it's true if you just you try to hurry more
because you know that you're late, and you end up
just mounting on top of it. And I think we
saw a little bit of that in this game, in
terms of maybe being frantic because you know you're behind
(14:30):
and like things just keep piling on. Now he was
able to course correct at the end, but I think
the key will be an Espasioto de Brisa in terms
of keep the pace, stay in control, and don't get frazzled,
don't do more things like don't throw an interception.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Don't you know any.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Of these things that can make you be more behind
or lates to have you dig out of a hole,
because it's not going to work out the same against
the chiefs, so perty, if anything, just think of Maria Acosta.
Sure that's top of mind for him. Yea, as as
you're going there, Mama Maria always has the same but
they're always true and happened to you.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Imagine it says like you know he's in the huddle,
It's okay, Maria, what are those dress right?
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Break?
Speaker 3 (15:12):
You know? Maybe not?
Speaker 4 (15:13):
He could be the call I.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
Can see yell, come on. I know he would, but.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
It was an incredible sight and coming up right here
our colleague.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Are prival no relationship. Maybe Omar Ruiz is coming on
the show.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
He was there, he was on the field, he was
there for the entire game. He's been covering the Niners
throughout the entire season. He will be here to recap
what was an emotional and exciting uh NFC championship game.
On the other side of the break here on the
in Huddle podcast, well.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
I'm not giving game. This is just detection.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
The athletic calls it the immaculate deflection. Just one of
those memorable catches. And mj our next guest was actually there.
He's been covering out just the NFL, but the forty
nine ers in this magic carpet ride that they're on,
talk about like, what is the familia we're talking about
our guy, we work with them at NFL Media.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Omar d Ruiz.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Initial, we've reached our Ruiz quota. I need to get
a selv in here to to make this Haney.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Equal what this is a long time coming.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
Man.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
We've been wanting to get Omar here, but you know,
our bosses keep them all over the place, all over
the country.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
It's oh tough.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
So we're so happy that you're here and we're watching
that clip. Of course Omar of that incredible catch. That
was more of the turning point in the game for
the Niners to walk us through this because it very
much literally a game a story of two halves. So
let's start with the first half, which was rough for
Niners fans to watch. What was the atmosphere going into
halftime over at Levi Stadium.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
Well, it was quiet. You can imagine the shock in
all of Niner Nation at Levi Stadium expecting this coronation
of the forty nine ers and the number one seed,
and all year long they have aimed for this top
seed in the NFC so they could get the home
field advantage, and the Lions did whatever they wanted in
the first half offensively, the forty nine Ers couldn't get
(17:50):
anything going, and just to put matters into even more perspective,
at halftime, legendary band Bay Area band Journey was playing,
so they were expecting them to get the crowd rocking
and rolling the old school songs to pump up the crowd,
and then of course they start playing don't stop believing, right,
(18:11):
and then he said, so then there's you know, it's
just a city boy from South Detroit and crazy and
so it's like everything that could go wrong for the
forty nine ers went wrong in the first half, including
including getting the halftime crowd fired up for the Lions fans.
And but then, but then you mentioned the Brandon au
(18:32):
catch and the immaculate deflection really was you know, the
turning the turning point right, and then you know, a
couple of plays later they scored the touchdown, and then
the ensuing possession Lions fumbled the ball and then in
a moment's notice, the game was tied, and obviously the
rest is history. But that will go down Well, you
grew up in San Francisco, MJ. You covered the Niners
(18:54):
for a while. You know about the catch. You know
about the catch too, you know about the catch three,
all the signature moments in forty nine er history, and
Brandon Ayuk's NFC Championship game immaculate deflection will go down
in that nine or lore as well, I think for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Yeah, well, Omer, what did you think of Dan Gamble
and Dan Gamble going.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
For it on fourth down?
Speaker 2 (19:16):
He's been taking a lot of heat over it, because
those were those just added to what we saw and
what the result ended up becoming.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
Yeah, I didn't mind the second half fourth down going
for it's because that's what they've been all season long.
The one I did mind, though, The one I did
mine was in the first half, at the end of
the first half, fourth and goal from the three. It's
twenty one to seven. They could go for the jugular
right there before halftime, but instead they kicked the fyo goal,
(19:49):
and so they went up twenty four to seven. Which
I didn't mind that decision, you know, that's I'm more
of that old school kind of logical you take the
points when you can get them kind of thing. But
the fact that he played it conservatively there at that
point when he could have gone for the jugular instead
of and then and then changed going back to the
way he had done things all season in the second half,
(20:12):
I just didn't like that inconsistency. Yeah, but specifically those
fourth down calls in the second half. It's it's what
they are, it's who they are.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Yeah, and uh and.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Obviously well, and I think the thing I appreciated most
maybe about all of that, was his comments after the game,
appreciating the scrutiny, appreciating the questions, not getting defensive about it.
He he just said, hey, it's on me. I believe
in my team. I don't regret it, but I understand
your guys' questions. And I think that said a lot
(20:43):
about his character, why he's ingratiated himself to that locker room,
why he's endeared himself to the organization and the community.
And I think that says a lot about Dan Campbell,
the fact that they didn't get it, and the humility
to admit that it was. It was. He didn't regret
the decision, but obviously it didn't work out for them.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Yeah, that's a good way to defuse the postgame press
conference room as well, which he's excellent at. So drink
it back to the Niner side, because obviously we keep
talking about how reminiscent this is of the Super Bowl
fifty four when they went up against the Chiefs in Miami,
and on the lead up to that. You know, I
was covering that NFC championship game at Levi Stadium that
(21:23):
year as well, and I remember I was maybe like one.
It was John Lynch, his security and then me on
the sideline because just like you did, Omar, you have
to run out there to get that postgame interview. They're
setting up the stage for the trophy ceremony. It is
absolute chaos in the best possible way in those moments
leading up to the end of the game, as you're
(21:43):
on the sideline, What do you remember seeing and what
did it feel like there?
Speaker 5 (21:49):
Well, it was incredible because the Fox set was there
because of course they had right you know, Jimmy Howie
and Kurt mean I Fee and Jake Glazer, all those
guys were there. Ray Hanna was there in the stadium
and their big, huge set was behind the quarter of
the field that we were gathering around. And so Aaron
Andrews is right there next to me, and and you know,
(22:11):
she's asking for her post game requests. I'm asking for mine.
All the other national media that are there are lining
up for their interviews. And I remember when the Lions
were about to kick the onside kick and I looked
at Aaron, I said, hey, you were there in Seattle
when they kicked the on side kick against Green Bay
and that NFC Championship game. And it took her a
(22:34):
second to remember she's like, oh yeah, so we kind
of because at that point, I think once the Niners
went up ten late in the game, you just kind
of thought, Okay, well it's probably over. But then the
Lions scored that touchdown. We've seen crazy things happen, so
we kind of had a refocus on the game itself
rather than the interviews that we're pursuing. And you know
how chaotic it is. After the game, they had lined
(22:56):
up Nick Bosa for us, a couple of sacks and
you know, one of the defensive heroes of the game
for the Niners. Once we got out there, we never
saw Nick Bosa end up getting. Yeah, we ended up
getting you know, Brock Purdy and Brendon Ayuk and Trent
Williams and between Stacy Dale's and I Debo and and
Fred Warner and you know, George Kittle and you know
had some great interviews, but the one that they had
(23:18):
intended to set up for us didn't even happen. But
we just saw some great moments, you know, and just
great interviews. Just getting that raw emotion from the guys
is just truly unmatched that you could really only get
at a championship game or a Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And those were great interviews too, Mjay that that that
omark got there on the field. We've been running them
on Good Morning Football and just to see like like
Purty still seemed like he was thankful for the moment,
but also still seemed kind of business like. And Kittle
was just soaking it all in and being, you know,
(23:54):
this gregarious personality which he always is all the time.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
And you rustually making a joke with him.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
Yeah, did you? And now it turns out NFL Films
actually caught him saying early in the game that he
was telling Brock Purdy because you guys probably remember that
viral video a few years ago where some kid was
getting or a coach or a player was getting interviewed
in a high school game somewhere and he said, they
had us in the first half, not a lie. Yeah,
(24:20):
so that clip, So that clip went viral, right, So
George Kittle in our interview, I say, hey, George, you
guys were down twenty four to seven at the half,
but came back to win. How did you do it?
And then he goes, they had us in the first half,
not and a lie.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
Timing is perfect, yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:39):
Just comedic timing. His wit is just you know, we
just described how chaotic it is down there on the field,
and for him to have his comedic wit still on
point like that, so he gives that line, he gives
the rest of the answer about them fighting back and
you know all that. And then I said, hey, I
saw what you did there, and his face lit up
about you know, me recognizing the joke. And as it
turns out, NFL films got him saying that to Brock
(25:01):
s Grady like in the second quarter he said, yeah,
he said, Hey, at the end of this game, I'm
gonna do all my interviews and I'm gonna say they
got us in the first half. I'm not gonna lie.
And and he's like, I can't wait to say that
because we're gonna come back and win. And so the
fact that he called his shot and then still delivered
all that. And then when when he was up there
with the with the championship ceremony with Michael Strahan, he
(25:22):
set it up there on the stage in the in
the big screen and uh, and yeah, I mean, George
kill he really is one of a kind. Yeah, And
and you know, but they all they all their own
respective moments, you know, great interviews and like you said,
Prudy was him so focused. Deebo Samuel was just so
relieved to get through that game as much pain as
he was in with his shoulder and and still led
(25:43):
the team in receiving and and all the guys you know,
had their heroic moments and just a joyous occasion for
the nine or faithful.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
There there was a meme, a series of memes of
back party walking in like his game day entrance. He's
and his khakis and his little like uh jacket, and
all the different memes were like, it looks like Shanahan
just called in purty to to reboot the.
Speaker 4 (26:08):
I mean, I just can't.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
But like whatever he gets out there and wins, they're like, oh,
my man just came from a Cole's commercial shoot.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
Leave him alone.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
He knows his style, he knows who he is. As
long as he keeps getting dumbs, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
But you know who they are.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
Yeah, but you know what's cool, And I think this
is a reflection of that poise that he always carries
himself with, is those celebrations when when they score a touchdown,
when he throws a touchdown pass, when he makes a
big play, he goes nuts and so at that point,
that's when he lets all that emotion out, and that's
that's neat to see. It's cool to see that side
of him because he is so poised and diligent and
(26:47):
focused all the time. To see that side of his
personality in those moments, and his teammates feet off of that.
They know when when Brock is letting loose, you know,
this is the guy we want to follow and follow
they certainly have and they're going to continue to follow
him to Vegas.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
So are you going to be going to Vegas more?
Speaker 5 (27:05):
Yeah? I go on Sunday. I'm not sure if we're
gonna get the rivals you know as a plane arrives,
but I'll be there. It'll be the I mean, you guys.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Know you're gonna be at is where you're gonna be.
You're gonna be hanging there at You're gonna be staying.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
At the DoD.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
I think that's for like the media, like.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
One of the.
Speaker 4 (27:28):
Serious excellent.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
By them with the chips and that'll walk them on there.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
Yeah, now we're talking, baby.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Thank you for getting us through that, all right, Stay hydrated,
my friend, A long week ahead, Thank.
Speaker 5 (27:47):
You, Thank you, there fridrated rested all of it, got
a prep now.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
Literally, thanks, you're the best man, Love you too.
Speaker 5 (27:55):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Trega MacCaffrey.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
And Bartigo seven mm hmmm.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
Does Christian McCaffrey levitate.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
I mean it's it's almost supernatural, the way he can
just run through people.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
I mean he was untouched in that. By the way.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Shout out to his fiance Olivia Copo former Miss Universe.
If you guys didn't know, she was also rocking custom
Kristin Uschek gear at the game. Congratulations to Kristin, who
now has a licensing deal with the NFL.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
I love this for her. Okay, entrepreneur designer now she's
official official For those who don't will, she's been She's
not new to this game.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
She's been designing outfits for game days for years and
years and years right now wearing her stuff. So they're like,
thanks everybody else for catching on. How do we get
a custom in huddle? Uh? Yeah, our budget, because I'm
sure yesterday's price is not today's price.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
I can guarantee it's changed.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Well, we see like Klay Thompson, he wore it uh
before a uh Warrior game.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
So so good for her.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
You know, I'm gonna go into the eat boom thor
maybe that is and eat bunto right there, like good
for for Christian Christen to have that, and good for
the use checks to have that.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Uh you know.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
For me, my bunto is that we see the forty
nine ers and the Chiefs are gonna be wearing the
same color uniforms that they wore when they last faced
each other in in Miami.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
Yep, and uh, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
It's I would have loved to have seen the forty
nine ers in their in their home jerseys. Would have
been so great, you know.
Speaker 4 (29:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
So I don't know if there if that's something going
to be an omen or something that the uh the
Chiefs are going to to.
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Grab on to.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I don't know, but you know, players are superstitious, so yes,
to reimagine that the Chiefs are again the home team
like this is this is going to be interesting. But
the reason they do that, guys, it's especially for situations
like this where the team colors are the same almost. Yeah,
that way, we're not just working at a bunch of
(30:28):
red on the field, So it's going to be interesting.
Speaker 4 (30:33):
My punto is that.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
You know, super Bowl is such a huge everybody compares
their biggest moment of the year to the super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
Oh, this is the super Bowl of X, this is
a super Bowl of why this is my super Bowl
this week? Blah blah blah. Right, and we are blessed
enough again to relive this in the job that we do.
Speaker 1 (30:57):
I know you don't take it for granted, will neither
do I Like, I think sometimes the season can feel
so long, and then playoffs gives us this other jolt
and then Super Bowl is the craziest week of the year.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
And man, this is really really cool.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Like going back to our last week's episode where we
talked to Leo, like, this is what we do for
a living, like crazy, right, we got to share with
all of you guys with and especially this year, Like
one of my mantras for the year was to be
in the moment, to be present, and to take account
(31:31):
of the things that are really really special. And we're
very lucky to do this job and to be able
to live this every single day.
Speaker 4 (31:38):
So I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
You guys can't wait for us to bring to life
the super Bowl, to bring it to you, to be
your ohitos and your Oahitas from Vegas. While while we
live this, it's very very cool.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
I see, yes, we bang it story of that querta
though again, I am totally in agreement with you.
Speaker 3 (31:56):
We are at this point in time, the culmination.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
And listen, these are our two storied franchises.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
Yeah, going head to head.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Let's just get a good game. Unless be entertained.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
I think we will. And no well as well, no
other scenario.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
They're gonna They're gonna fight for their lives out out
of the field. So it's gonna be great.
Speaker 4 (32:18):
I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Guys, continue to follow us, like, subscribe, share it, and
let us tell what you guys think.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
What do you want to hear?
Speaker 1 (32:25):
Especially as we're getting ready to set foot in Orlando
for Pro Bowl and in Super Bowl. We have even
more access than normal, so you know, tweet us or
what is it ex us? Uh, we're really more active
on Instagram, So just hit us up there and let
us know who you want to hear from and what
you want to see.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Will as always, man, this is it, We're there, we
made it.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Who knew?
Speaker 5 (32:54):
Look at us?
Speaker 4 (33:14):
In Huddle is a.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
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