The NFL season opener was everything we love about football: a close game that went to the wire, two outstanding quarterbacks and constant refereeing interference.
The Ravens-Chiefs game ended in dramatic fashion on the final play of the game when Lamar Jackson nearly sent the game into overtime with a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone, only to discover that Likely had tripped out of bounds on his toes.
Likely was the absolute star on Thursday night. Not only did he lead the Ravens in receiving yards, but the play came on the heels of a jumping corner catch on the previous play that appeared to result in a serious injury, and he had a chance for legendary heroics that never came to fruition.
The ever-empathetic Patrick Mahomes offered some advice for the young player moving forward.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes gives advice to Isaiah Likely: “Wear white cleats next time.”
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) September 6, 2024
Objectively, he's not wrong. Umpires, even at their best, have a hard time getting the call right. If Likely had been wearing white cleats that hit his toes, the umpires may well have called it a touchdown, saying it wasn't enough to overturn the call on the field.
Of course, if offensive coordinator Todd Monken had run the ball more with Derrick Henry or remembered that Mark Andrews was playing for the team, the Ravens might not have even had to worry about the toe or the catch on the last play, but that aside.
