close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Patrick Mahomes’ Advice to Ravens’ Isaiah Likely After Botched TD: ‘He Should Wear White Boots Next Time’
news

Patrick Mahomes’ Advice to Ravens’ Isaiah Likely After Botched TD: ‘He Should Wear White Boots Next Time’

The conclusion of the NFL’s season opener on Thursday night underscored the adage that “football is a game of inches,” as evidenced by the Kansas City Chiefs’ final play, which saw them beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-20.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needed a touchdown and an extra point to tie the game. He led his team down the field on an 11-play, 77-yard drive. He came up short on his final pass, and with time running out, a touchdown was disallowed. Isaiah Likely had his toe out of bounds after catching the ball in the end zone.

“I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson said afterward. “I still think it’s a touchdown.”

Shortly after Likely’s catch and before officials could review the play, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh signaled to his players that they were going for the two-point conversion and the win with little time left on the clock.

But it was not to be as referee Shawn Hochuli declared it an incomplete pass and the game was over.

That dropped the Ravens’ record to 1-5, including playoffs, against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Mahomes gave Likely a tip for the next time he has a reception opportunity in the back of an end zone.

“It looked good from my sideline,” Mahomes said. “But then the first look you saw, you could see the cleat. That’s a great football team and I’m sure we’ll see them again somewhere in the playoffs. We’re happy with the win right now. He needs to wear white shoes next time, that’s my advice to him.”

The Ravens were angry about a lot of things after the game: between the final play, a shove from the sideline and another heavy loss to the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Roquan Smith, who objected to a push by Chiefs tight end Peyton Hendershot, said he didn’t believe there was enough evidence to overturn the call. Likely said he thought Thursday would be the Ravens’ worst game this year and “if this is the best they have, good luck in the postseason.”

He likely finished the game strong, with nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, but the final play will stick with him.

“That’s my responsibility,” Likely said. “I just have to get my feet on the ground. I’m pushing myself to catch everything and make sure everyone puts us in the best position possible, so I take responsibility. Next time, I’m going to get my feet on the ground.”