Joe Staley has been selected to six Pro Bowls, is a three-time second-team All-Pro, and was recently named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s. But it is his two Super Bowl losses that will always be viewed as missed opportunities.
Fans remained hopeful that Staley would get another shot, but a 13-year NFL career, and the stress and injuries that accompany it, forced his retirement.
Staley was part of the 49ers squad that reached Super Bowl XLVII to face the Baltimore Ravens. Seven years later, he reached Super Bowl LIV to face the Kansas City Chiefs. He walked away from both championship games without a win.
Staley recently joined Adam Schefter of ESPN on his podcast and was asked which of the two games was the most disappointing. It was, for at least now, the one that is freshest in his mind.
"Having a 10-point lead with eight minutes left in the game, we felt [we were] in a comfortable spot," Staley told Schefter. "Our defense was playing really well. Then Patrick Mahomes just kind of did Patrick Mahomes things, and we came away on the losing end of that, unfortunately.
"I think time will ease those, and I'll have a better answer down the road as far as which one was harder to accept.
"I think they're both unique. We had such a great comeback in the first one, down 28-6, then coming away with first-and-goals from the seven-yard line, basically, with like two minutes left. That was, obviously, very frustrating.
"Just a lot of heartache in the Super Bowl, unfortunately, for me in my career, but I was super privileged just to be able to play in those moments."
Staley goes on to call his NFL career and the ability to play in two Super Bowls, "a dream come true for a little kid from Michigan."
"I feel very privileged to be able to be in that opportunity," Staley added. "Unfortunately, we didn't come away with a victory. Obviously, would love to have that happen, but it's not something that's going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I'm super proud of my career and what I was able to accomplish."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Staley below.
