Mecole Hardman Finally Reunites With Lost Game Ball From Chiefs’ Super Bowl-Winning TD

The Chiefs receiver had no idea where it went after the game.
Mecole Hardman Finally Reunites With Lost Game Ball From Chiefs’ Super Bowl-Winning TD
Mecole Hardman Finally Reunites With Lost Game Ball From Chiefs’ Super Bowl-Winning TD /
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Mecole Hardman had no idea where the football went.

The 25-year-old achieved every kid’s dream by scoring the game-winning touchdown at Super Bowl LVIII, hauling in a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to secure the Kansas City Chiefs’ third championship in the last five years.

But as he celebrated with teammates, Hardman chucked the ball to the ground, never to see it again. That is, until Tuesday.

“I got the game ball!” Hardman exclaimed in an Instagram post. “Yessir, the game ball is here baby. Pat, I need you to sign it. Sign and date this thing, baby. Yessir, the game ball!”

Hardman revealed Sunday night on the CBS Sports postgame show that he initially had no idea he just scored the game-winning touchdown. And he certainly had no clue what happened to the football.

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“I ain’t gonna lie man, I caught that pass and I blacked out,” Hardman said. “I didn’t know what was going on until I saw Pat running to me and I was like, ‘Oh, we just won? Let’s celebrate!’”

Whoever scooped up the game ball did the right thing this week, reuniting Hardman with his prized souvenir that now has a place in Chiefs history.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.