The Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58 sparked plenty of commentary across the NFL world, with everyone dishing their takes on the game. San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward and New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner were among those who got into a debate over the game on social media.
Charvarius Ward Claps Back at Sauce Gardner
Gardner started the dialogue shortly after the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the 49ers. It was a contest San Francisco led for much of the night before Kansas City tied it up with a late field goal and won with an overtime touchdown following the 49ers’ made field goal in OT.
Gardner chimed in on X (formerly known as Twitter), saying he knew the Chiefs would repeat as Super Bowl champions.
“I told y’all. The 9ers might look better on paper but the Chiefs always find a way,” Gardner tweeted.
I told y'all. The 9ers might look better on paper but the Chiefs always find a way😂💯
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) February 12, 2024
Ward, who was a standout member of San Francisco’s secondary throughout the season, clapped back at Gardner’s jab with one back at the Jets cornerback, whose team has not made the playoffs in either of his first two seasons in the league.
“Boy yo a-** ain’t sniffed the playoffs,” Ward responded. “You watching from the couch. Worry bout the sorry a** JETS.”
Ward has been a key part of the 49ers’ success this year, wrapping up the regular season with 72 tackles (56 solo), 23 pass breakups, five interceptions, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. He tallied four tackles (three solo) and one tackle for loss during the Super Bowl.
Gardner has begun to make a name for himself early in his NFL career, too, with a pair of strong seasons. He racked up 57 tackles (41 solo), 11 pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble this past season after posting 75 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and two INTs as a rookie back in 2022.
Still, New York has not put together much teamwide success in that span, with a pair of 7-10 seasons that left them outside the playoffs in both of Gardner’s first two professional seasons.
One fan pointed to this lack of success, particularly given their high expectations heading into 2023, in a comment on Gardner’s original tweet.
“The Jets looked better on paper, going into the season than your record showed at the end of the season,” the commenter said. “Some how the Jets just always find a way to upset their fans before the postseason starts.”
The Jets looked better on paper, going into the season than your record showed at the end of the season. Some how the Jets just always find a way to upset their fans before the postseason starts 🤷🏽♂️
— Keyshawn McMorris (@Keyshawn0802) February 12, 2024
Either way, it’s clear both Ward and Gardner did not reach their goals for team success in 2023 and will have plenty of fuel for their fires heading into the upcoming season.
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