Brandon Aiyuk made a huge play to help the San Francisco 49ers pull off a comeback win in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, and the wide receiver says he was given a sign from Mother Nature before it happened.
The 49ers were trailing the Detroit Lions 24-10 midway through the third quarter when Brock Purdy launched a deep pass to Aiyuk. The ball deflected off of Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor’s facemask and Aiyuk somehow stayed with it to make the catch inside the 5-yard line.
AIYUK UNBELIEVABLE!
📺: #DETvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gm8L5xwa9D— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2024
It initially looked like Aiyuk had scored a touchdown, but replays showed that he was touched before he hit the ground. Aiyuk caught a 6-yard score three plays later to cut Detroit’s lead to 24-17. The 49ers went on to win 34-31 and advance to the Super Bowl.
When asked after the game about his insane catch, Aiyuk told Erin Andrews of FOX that a ladybug landed on his shoe. He knew that would be good luck.
“Before the game, a ladybug landed on my shoe.” Aiyuk said. “Y’all know what that means. That’s all I can say, because I don’t know.”
"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
Aiyuk’s incredible catch helped keep momentum in San Francisco’s favor after the 49ers were dominated for the entire first half. Lions coach Dan Campbell made some controversial decisions that backfired, but the Niners earned the win with plays like the one Aiyuk made.
Apparently a ladybug deserves some of the credit.
