Even though the Patriots defeated the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, the first Super Bowl which ventured into overtime, many fans, especially Falcons’ fans, can’t get over the loss. That includes ex-Falcons’ receiver, Roddy White.
White, who was released from the team in March of 2016, has some very strong feelings on the loss and who he would take it out on. Appearing on the “We Never Played The Game” podcast, White went in on former Falcons’ offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (now the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers), saying “Im glad I wasnt a part of that team because I probably literally wouldve fought him.
You destroyed a dream for a city, White said. Its bigger than me. The city of Atlanta needed that championship and you had it. Arthur Blank needed that championship and he deserved to win that game, with everything hes been through. It was finally our time to win and it just hurt me that we didnt get it done.
During the podcast, White discussed many things including how he almost ended up playing with the Patriots and his experience playing with Michael Vick. But when it came to Super Bowl LI, especially the Falcons’ crucial drive in the fourth quarter, White let it all out.
You remember the series. Julio Jones has just made an amazing sideline catch which had everyone going crazy, putting the Falcons on the 22 yard line, well within field goal range that could have sealed the deal for Atlanta, who was winning 28-20 at the time.
I was like, Thats it. Games over. Were going to have a parade. Im going to fly back to Georgia. Were going to have fun, White said
Then, disaster struck. A sack, a sack and a holding penalty took the team out of field goal range and that was all she wrote for the Falcons. And that’s when the bile surged in White’s throat.
“To not finish and thats what you preach, White said. You have a kicker in a dome and he dont miss.”
He wanted to fight Shanahan, but he also spread the venom to the entire coaching staff saying As a coaching staff, youre on the headset, he said. Nobody said, Were going to run the ball three times.”
Let’s hope White and Shanahan never catch each other outside of a bar.
