Patrick Mahomes Still Feels Sting of Overtime Rule Change After Historic Super Bowl Win
Patrick Mahomes seems to harbor lingering feelings about the rule alteration that followed his team’s victory over the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs two years ago.
Mahomes guided the Kansas City Chiefs to a 25-22 overtime triumph against the San Francisco 49ers on February 11, benefiting partly from a rule modification stemming from one of the most heart-wrenching losses in Bills history.
In remarks following Sunday’s game, Mahomes subtly referenced that infamous matchup, indicating that the Chiefs could adapt to rule changes. This alluded to the altered overtime rule, implemented after the 2021 postseason, when the Bills surrendered a lead against the Chiefs with just 13 seconds remaining. The modification ensured each team received at least one possession in overtime, significantly benefiting the Chiefs in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Mecole Hardman did not know overtime rule so Patrick Mahomes had to tell him that they had just won the Super Bowl:
“I said, ‘Dude, we just won the Super Bowl.’ He had no idea. He didn’t even celebrate at the beginning.”
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 12, 2024
Despite the rule change benefiting his team, Mahomes still appeared to hold a grudge against the NFL for altering the rule following their victory over the Bills. Scott Chasen of the Kansas City Star observed that Mahomes seemed irked by the league’s decision.
“Patrick Mahomes never forgets a slight,” Chasen wrote. “He keeps bulletin-board material on hand, and he isn’t afraid to let you know about it. Even if it comes from the NFL.”
However, it’s worth noting that it wasn’t specifically the Bills who advocated for this particular rule change. Bills general manager Brandon Beane proposed a different overtime format altogether, suggesting a timed period similar to basketball or baseball innings. The Chiefs also had their own proposal for overtime rule changes following their loss to the New England Patriots in the 2019 AFC Championship game, although it wasn’t approved at the time.
