49ers fans in shock after heartbreaking Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Chiefs
The San Francisco 49ers lost a heartbreaking, heart-stopping overtime Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, leaving the team's fans drained in defeat.
Fans showed up in the Bay Area to root for the 49ers, with some even making the trip up from Southern California.
"They played their hearts out. I wish they would have win," said Tracy Quinn. "We came all the way from LA to root for our team, and it is all good. Next year, baby. Go Niners."
In the Mission District, it was a very subdued atmosphere late Sunday evening, a big contrast to the excitement and energy earlier as fans cheered on the 49ers.
Hundreds of people packed sports bars and sidewalks to watch the game. But after the loss, the air was sucked out of the district. A lot of fans felt deflated and disappointed.
"Sad, I want to cry. We lost," said fan Connie Rivera.
"I'm definitely heartbroken. But S.F. is strong and we're going to come back next year stronger than this," said Ellie Wang.
San Francisco police have responded to scattered fights postgame, but there have been no reports of any large-scale melees, vandalism or other shenanigans, according to Officer Robert Rueca.
"Nothing major at this time," he emailed Sunday night.
Streets in the Mission District were closed in anticipation of any possible postgame celebrations and the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans closed freeway off-ramps on U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate Highway 280 due to "an anticipated increase traffic and pedestrian congestion during the National Football League (NFL) game," Caltrans said.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan spoke at a post-game interview and echoed the same sentiment.
"We'll take some time; we'll get over this, and come back next year ready to go," Shanahan said.
During the post-game Red and Gold Report, Lorenzo Neal, a 16-year NFL fullback, talked about how Shanahan and his 49ers have lost to NFL legend Tom Brady and to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who some say is on his way to surpassing Brady.
"You're playing two of the quarterbacks that are the quarterbacks of this era. I don't know if that's a knock or a positive because of who you're playing," Neal said.
Neal went on to explain how much of an impact special teams had this Super Bowl matchup.
"Special teams gave up eight points tonight, and that was the difference in this football game," Neal said.
Da Lin contributed to this report.
