It’s quite possible that if Jimmy Garoppolo’s connected with Emmanuel Sanders on this deep ball with 1:40 left to go in the Super Bowl, the 49ers would’ve walked away with their sixth Lombardi Trophy. You don’t need to be reminded of what actually happened.
Sanders, now a member of the New Orleans Saints, was reminded when he joined First Take on Tuesday, however, and was asked by Max Kellerman if he blames Garoppolo for the mistake. Sanders took the high road and defended his former quarterback, but did concede that the play could’ve made both players San Francisco legends.
“It is what it is,” Sanders said. “It’s crazy, when I walk in the airport, me and Jimmy on that play, that could have been a legendary moment for the both of us, but at the same time, I believe in destiny and it just didn’t happen.”
Sanders said he’s moved past it.
“I’m being honest when I tell you I don’t even think about that play anymore, because it is what it is. It just wasn’t meant for us. That credit goes to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was their time and it just wasn’t our time, and it just didn’t happen. It wasn’t supposed to happen for us, and that’s just how I look at it. That’s the only way you can look at it.”
Sanders also argued that blaming Garoppolo for the loss because of the overthrow isn’t fair, and that the 49ers wouldn’t have even been in that position without Garoppolo in the first place.
“This guy made several throws down the stretch. And this guy made several plays to even get us in that position. So at the end of the day it’s one play and I expect Jimmy to be the baller he’s been all last year and the same this year.
“Hopefully we see those guys in the NFC championship.”
