The New York Jets weren't in the Super Bowl. But one of their former players just made Super Bowl history.
Mecole Hardman - who began the season with Gang Green - caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in overtime as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LVIII, 25-22. Hardman's catch ended a dramatic, back-and-forth game that ended as the seventh-longest in NFL history.
"What a play and a game by Hardman," Mahomes said. "After all he's been through this year ... "
The anatomy of the game-winner. What a Super Bowl. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WbGaPP39yV
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
Who would've thought it'd be the Jet that would be the one to have made the biggest play of the Super Bowl? Hardman, who caught a 52-yard pass in the first half, got wide open a simple out route and waltzed into the end zone with three seconds left in the first quarter of overtime.
The Jets haven't been to the Super Bowl in 55 years, since Joe Namath led a classic upset in 1969.
PATRICK MAHOMES WITH A DIME MECOLE HARDMAN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/qgjkFuzACY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 12, 2024
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Hardman, the now two-time Chiefs receiver, signed with the Jets last offseason to give Aaron Rodgers another potentially dangerous weapon but never made the impact in New York that many hoped for.
Related: Super Bowl Role: Former Jets Backups for Chiefs, 49ers in LVIII
Hardman played just five games for the Jets, totaling a reception for six yards before he was traded back to Kansas City.