49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reveals why he didn’t shake hands with Andy Reid after Super Bowl heartbreak
Andy Reid cemented his legacy as an all-timer with his third Super Bowl ring.
'Big Red' led the Chiefs to a 25-22 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII to clinch back-to-back titles for KC - the first team to do so since the 2004 New England Patriots.
3
The Kansas City coaches, staff and players reacted wildly after Patrick Mahomes' game-winning drive, but eagle-eyed fans noticed one customary act of sportsmanship didn't take place.
Reid and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan did not meet at midfield and shake hands like coaches usually do.
Supporters wondered if there was an issue between the two but Shanahan has cleared things up and revealed they decided before the game there wasn't going to be a post-game handshake.
"We talked on Monday. When we played each other last time, it took about 25 minutes to shake his hand," .
READ MORE NFL
"So, we both talked on Monday that regardless of who won, I mean I love Andy, I'm tight with Andy, but we talked both of us are going to do that because it's too hard to get to each other after these Super Bowls."
There's clearly a mutual respect there and it's all love between two of the most fiercely competitive coaches in the NFL
"Ours ended up being the right one," .
"That easily could have gone the other way. That's what we felt was the right thing to do. I'm never going to question Kyle because he's brilliant. That was just something that we chose through out studies. We felt that was important."
Most read in NFL
3
The 49ers, and Shanahan, were heavily criticised after the Super Bowl for seemingly not knowing the overtime rules and electing to take the ball first.
Mahomes' stunned reaction to Fred Warner's decision to receive the ball after winning the coin toss went viral and it ultimately proved to be a costly decision.
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has piece of advice for Travis Kelce over his relationship with Taylor Swift
Shanahan is evidently keen to put that chapter to bed and is wasting no time in preparing for next season.
He has already shaken up his coaching staff, relieving Steve Wilks of his duties as defensive coordinator
Wilks was hired last offseason to replace DeMeco Ryans, who took over as head coach with the Houston Texans, and previously served as the interim head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
"(It was a) really tough decision because it really says nothing about Steve as a man or as a football coach," Shanahan said.
"He's exactly what we wanted as a man. He's a great football coach.
"But where we're going and where we're at with our team, from a scheme standpoint, looking through it all throughout the year to these last few days, we felt pretty strongly that this was a decision that was best for our organisation.
3
"Even though it was one I didn't want to make. It was something that I realised that I think a different direction is what's best for organisation."
Speaking about how that will impact the team moving forwards, Shanahan added.
"I'm committed to try, with the situation we're in, trying to find what we believe will give the Niners the best chance in 2024.
"When you have a group of guys who have played at a high level doing certain things a specific way for a while, I do feel that's the best thing to do for them. But if I find something that I believe in and it can be sold on that could be a better avenue, I would never hesitate to do that."
Reid, meanwhile, has been quick to dispel any rumours about him retiring this offseason.
Travis Kelce said he'd quit the NFL if Reid walked away but 'Big Red' doesn't plan on going anywhere.
"I haven't had time to think about it but yeah, sure," Reid told reporters when asked if he plans to return.
Read More on talkSPORT
“I haven’t even thought about (retirement)," he said. "People keep asking me. I haven’t really gone there. I haven’t really thought about it.â€
Topics