Mecole Hardman caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Super Bowl victory this past Sunday, and tight end Travis Kelce was thrilled to witness it.
“It brought me to tears seeing that he was the man that got us this ring,” Kelce said, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “Sometimes the media world can be pretty harsh on a guy. … Mecole is one of my favorite teammates ever because he just keeps showing up and he keeps trying to find ways to win. Had a huge play for us early on that kind of sparked us and on top of that, finds a way to win the game for us when everybody counted him out — even the Jets counted him out.”
Hardman began the season with the Jets after signing with them via free agency last offseason. However, he logged just one catch for six yards in New York before being traded to the Chiefs at the deadline.
“And man, we were so excited when he got back in the building because he’s the kind of guy who brings everybody together,” added Kelce. “He’s got that kind of personality.”
Of course, the wide receiver began his career in Kansas City, having been taken by the club in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Hardman spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs, helping them win a couple of Super Bowls. But last spring, Kansas City allowed him to walk.
The 25-year-old was expected to have a more significant role with the Jets, but he was not utilized.
He caught 14 passes for 118 yards during the regular season with the Chiefs, so it wasn’t like Kansas City used him a whole lot this year, either.
However, on the biggest stage and in the brightest moment, Hardman shined, totaling three catches for 57 yards in the Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. That included his three-yard grab in overtime to give the Chiefs a 25-22 victory.
Perhaps Mecole Hardman will be back in Kansas City for another run next season. It would certainly make Travis Kelce happy.
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