Kyle Shanahan Considers His “Heartbreaking” 49ers and Falcons Super Bowl Losses

 

 

 

 

 

In remarks to reporters on Tuesday, Shanahan said he was “heartbroken” by his prior Super Bowl defeats as head coach of the 49ers in 2020 and offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.

Shanahan stated, “I’ve been privileged to coach in two Super Bowls, and to lose either of them is painful,” according to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk. “What excites me about today is returning there, as that is the ultimate goal.”

 

One might argue that Shanahan’s Falcons Super Bowl defeat was perhaps more devastating since Atlanta faltered and gave away a 28-3 lead to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

But Shanahan said this week to NBC Sports’ Peter King that he isn’t tormented by that loss:

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The 44-year-old said to King that it was more difficult to accept San Francisco’s 2020 Super Bowl defeat to the Chiefs.

“I think the Kansas City game was the hardest,” he remarked. “You simply attempt to manage things as you get older and go through the experience. You understand you are unable to. And you know you’re capable of handling it. And you’re aware of your deep passion for it.”

In a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, Shanahan and the 49ers will now get another chance to defeat the Chiefs on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Although the roster this year is undoubtedly better than it was in 2020 with the addition of players like running back Christian McCaffrey, quarterback Brock Purdy, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, it won’t be easy with guys like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the opposite side of the ball.

 

Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan has coached in two Super Bowls, but he is aiming for his first victory as he takes on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

In remarks to reporters on Tuesday, Shanahan said he was “heartbroken” by his prior Super Bowl defeats as head coach of the 49ers in 2020 and offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.

Shanahan stated, “I’ve been privileged to coach in two Super Bowls, and to lose either of them is painful,” according to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk. “What excites me about today is returning there, as that is the ultimate goal.”

 

One might argue that Shanahan’s Falcons Super Bowl defeat was perhaps more devastating since Atlanta faltered and gave away a 28-3 lead to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

But Shanahan said this week to NBC Sports’ Peter King that he isn’t tormented by that loss:

It aches. You don’t die from it. You are aware of what transpired. You know you’re capable of handling it. You’re able to handle it. “Haunted” is simply so incorrect. Really, it makes you stronger. However, you know, I would say, “Do I ever come out of my room again?” if you told me before the game that you were going to squander a 28-3 lead and lose. This is athletics, you realize. Twenty different plays may have altered the outcome of that match. However, I also realize that Tom Brady, the opposing quarterback, accomplished the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. For the whole second half, he operated.”

The 44-year-old said to King that it was more difficult to accept San Francisco’s 2020 Super Bowl defeat to the Chiefs.

“I think the Kansas City game was the hardest,” he remarked. “You simply attempt to manage things as you get older and go through the experience. You understand you are unable to. And you know you’re capable of handling it. And you’re aware of your deep passion for it.”

In a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, Shanahan and the 49ers will now get another chance to defeat the Chiefs on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Although the roster this year is undoubtedly better than it was in 2020 with the addition of players like running back Christian McCaffrey, quarterback Brock Purdy, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, it won’t be easy with guys like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the opposite side of the ball.