The San Francisco 49ers are not Super Bowl LIV champions, and they are still going to be on the very long "quest for six" Lombardi Trophies, which will extend into its 26th year.
This, after the Niners blew a 20-10 fourth quarter lead against the Kansas City Chiefs, who used 21 unanswered points to secure their first title in 50 years, beating San Francisco 31-20.
While many around the league will ultimately feel joy for Kansas City and head coach Andy Reid securing an elusive title, few 49ers fans and players will feel worse for anybody on the team's roster than left tackle Joe Staley, whose 2012 Niners came yards away from beating the eventual champion Baltimore Ravens back in Super Bowl XLVII.
Staley, 35 years old, is the elder statesman of the 49ers roster, coming into the league back when the franchise was scuffling, then seeing the dominant run earlier last decade, then enduring hard times again, only to see yet another Super Bowl ring slip away from his grasps.
Heartbreaking.
"This is super disappointing," a clearly emotional Staley told reporters after the loss. "This is very hard being in this moment right now."
Staley exited the game in the second half and went into the locker room. He suffered a gash on his hand, which required stitches, but was able to return to action. Unfortunately, his team's efforts weren't enough to preserve the precarious lead over a dangerous Chiefs offense.
"You put your heart and soul and entire life into trying to be a Super Bowl champion," Staley continued. "You get to the end of your career and you realize how rare these opportunities are. The emotions are all so raw and real for me right now."
You can watch the clip of Staley's emotional interview below, courtesy of 95.7 The Game:
"This is very hard being in this moment right now."
Joe Staley gives a heartbreaking postgame interview pic.twitter.com/PGhA6QxKvX
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 3, 2020