The Kansas City Chiefs‘ win in Super Bowl LVIII over the San Francisco 49ers was the epitome of a team win. Sure, quarterback Patrick Mahomes (who joined an elite list of just nine quarterbacks with three Championship wins) won Super Bowl MVP and led the Chiefs in rushing yards as well as passing yards, but it was the contributions of non-superstar players that gave Kansas City the edge in the game.
Recently released wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught three passes for just 20 yards, but one of them was a massive touchdown reception. Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker and 2022 third round pick Leo Chenal was fourth on the team in total tackles and had a huge tackle for loss during the game. But perhaps the most notable unsung hero of the game was wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Mecole Hardman Had Two Huge Plays in Super Bowl LVIII
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) scores the winning touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Hardman had quite a season in 2023. First, he left Kansas City to sign with the New York Jets and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The high hopes that surrounded the Jets’ preseason did not last long in the regular season after Rodgers tore his Achilles four snaps into Week One, though. As New York’s season swirled down the drain, Hardman was reportedly aggravated and eventually traded back to Kansas City.Ezoic
After not producing much in the regular season, Hardman had a massive game in the Super Bowl. His 52-yard reception in the first quarter would have set up the Chiefs for a touchdown had it not been for an Isiah Pacheco fumble. In overtime, however, Hardman was the recipient of Mahomes’ last second touchdown pass to give Kansas City the 25-22 win.
Kansas City Chiefs, Mecole Hardman, Taylor Swift
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after throwing the winning touchdown to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) during overtime against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
210 million people tuned into Super Bowl LVIII and saw Hardman make the game-winning reception. Of course, that record number was the result of tight end Travis Kelce dating 14-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift and her presence at Chiefs games over the course of the season.
And, of course, Swift joined Kelce and the rest of the Chiefs players (who consider her to be part of their family) in celebrating down on the field. In a recent episode of the Pivot Podcast, Hardman revealed what Swift said to him after the game:
As seen and heard in the video, when Kelce first introduce Swift to Hardman, the wide receiver was doing card tricks. After watching him catch the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, Swift told Hardman that he really does have “magic hands.”
Hardman also reveals that Swift is very down-to-earth and easy to get along with.
