The San Francisco 49ers appeared down and out in Sunday’s NFC title game. From the jump, the Detroit Lions took it to the 49ers, pummeling them en route to what felt like a decisive 24-7 lead at halftime.
But then the 49ers came back, putting the onus on the Lions (and Dan Campbell) to prevent an epic second-half collapse. They couldn’t, as evidenced by plays like Brandon Aiyuk’s clutch deep catch that bounced off a Lions defender’s face. It seemed like luck, in fact, played a huge role in the 49ers’ comeback. So much so that Aiyuk acknowledged it in his postgame interview.
How, you might ask?
He credited a ladybug — a classic symbol of luck — that landed on his shoe before the game. That sure is … something to say after you clinch a trip to the Super Bowl.
"Before the game, a ladybug landed on my shoe… Just great luck, God was with us today, great win, bang bang Niner gang."
Brandon Aiyuk joined @ErinAndrews to talk about his crazy catch and the @49ers win! pic.twitter.com/XWKLPoVK2H
— NFL on FOX Podcast (@NFLonFOXPod) January 29, 2024
I’m not going to discount the feeling Aiyuk had after running into a timeless symbol of luck. But I don’t know. On its face, it seems a little weird that he’d credit an insect touching his shoe as the reason the 49ers won with a straight face. Though I suppose that this 49ers win did feel a little miraculous, so maybe he had a point.