Kyle Juszczyk Passionately Defends Kyle Shanahan Over 49ers’ OT Misunderstanding

The San Francisco fullback lent support to his coach in profane fashion.

The San Francisco 49ers, exalted for much of the 2023 NFL season as a model professional sports organization, are currently on their third day as being the butt of many jokes from football fans everywhere.

Why? Some 49ers players admitted they were unaware of the NFL's new postseason overtime rules when Super Bowl LVIII went to OT tied at 19. The Kansas City Chiefs, who did rehearse the rules before the big game, seized the opportunity presented to them when San Francisco took the ball after winning the overtime coin toss.

As the 49ers picked up the pieces and discussed what might have been Tuesday, veteran fullback Kyle Juszczyk defended coach Kyle Shanahan from criticism for the coin-toss decision.

1) I talked to @JuiceCheck44 about he and some of his teammates being unclear on the new (postseason) OT rule. He said they learned it when the change was made but that he forgot over time. That said, he thinks this is a stupid controversy... "Why does it f------- matter..."

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 13, 2024

2) Said @JuiceCheck44: "That changes nothing for me as a player, whatsoever. If I know the rule or don't know the rule, I'm trying to do the exact same thing on the field. It's just people looking for a way to s--- on (Kyle Shanahan)."

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 13, 2024

“Why does it f---ing matter?" Juszczyk asked San Francisco Chronicle columnist Michael Silver.

Shanahan defended his actions Tuesday by telling reporters San Francisco “wanted the ball third," which would've given it the chance to win if the game was tied after both teams had one possession.

“That changes nothing for me as a player, whatsoever. If I know the rule or don't know the rule, I'm trying to do the exact same thing on the field," Juszczyk said. “It's just people looking for a way to s--- on [Shanahan]."