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How Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers lost the Super Bowl after winning the OT coin flip
LAS VEGAS — The overtime coin flip came up tails, and San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan faced a decision never before made in Super Bowl history.
The NFL’s new playoff rule called for each team to get the ball at least once in overtime. That meant Shanhahan’s 49ers had the option to take the ball first or kick it off to Kansas City and bat second — either by KC kickoff after a score, a punt or a turnover.
He chose to take the ball.
Not just because Kansas City finally transformed a 19–19 tie into a 25–22 Super Bowl triumph, but also because he should have gone second.
