The San Francisco 49ers appeared down and out in Sunday’s NFC title game. From the jump, the Detroit Lions took it to the 49ers, pummeling them en route to what felt like a decisive 24-7 lead at halftime.
But then the 49ers came back, putting the onus on the Lions (and Dan Campbell) to prevent an epic second-half collapse. They couldn’t, as evidenced by plays like Brandon Aiyuk’s clutch deep catch that bounced off a Lions defender’s face. It seemed like luck, in fact, played a huge role in the 49ers’ comeback. So much so that Aiyuk acknowledged it in his postgame interview.
How, you might ask?
He credited a ladybug — a classic symbol of luck — that landed on his shoe before the game. That sure is … something to say after you clinch a trip to the Super Bowl.
"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
I’m not going to discount the feeling Aiyuk had after running into a timeless symbol of luck. But I don’t know. On its face, it seems a little weird that he’d credit an insect touching his shoe as the reason the 49ers won with a straight face. Though I suppose that this 49ers win did feel a little miraculous, so maybe he had a point.
This was how Twitter reacted to Aiyuk crediting a ladybug for the 49ers' luck
This is amazing lol #NFCChampionship https://t.co/LZUiO6zEPL
— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) January 29, 2024
Lol all luck all year. Sure bud https://t.co/6BPM1xmYEl
— Chase Aguiar (@chaseaguiar) January 29, 2024
Whatever works 🤷♀️🐞 https://t.co/iH8olSx23Q
— Sarah Kincart (@sarahkincart) January 29, 2024
Shout out to the ladybug that landed on Brandon Aiyuk’s shoe.
— Matt Ravis (@mattravis) January 29, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk talking about knowing he was going to do something great when a ladybug landed on his shoe before the game is almost too pure for words
— Elizabeth Keen (@elizabethfkeen) January 29, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk told Erin Andrews "before the game a ladybug landed on my shoe." Try analytics on that.
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) January 29, 2024
A ladybug landed on Brandon Aiyuk’s shoe? Potentially who 49ers fans have to thank for getting to the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/h7K1aRNnrd
— Pokemon Wiz (@PokeWizardCali) January 29, 2024
Ladybug luck brought the 49ers a victory. Just ask Brandon Aiyuk
— Mike Healy (@mikemoneyhealy) January 29, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk's ladybug for MVP
— Sally Rhubarb (@PeonyScunthorpe) January 29, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk saying he knew the 49ers were meant to win because a ladybug landed on his shoe 🥹❤️
That was so pure omg. #nfl #NFCChampionship— sophie 🐝 (@sophiembartlett) January 29, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk crediting a ladybug for the comeback win is the whimsy this Super Bowl journey needed #49ers
— Tim Keane (@Homeawayvisitin) January 29, 2024
"Ladybug landed on my shoe."- Brandon Aiyuk the goat pic.twitter.com/lasW2T6fLF
— JayCTheKing 👑 (@JayCTheKing) January 29, 2024
