SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 28: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass that was tipped by Kindle Vildor #29 of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

49ers' Aiyuk credits ladybug for huge catch in NFC title game

2 years ago

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Brandon Aiyuk believes a good luck charm helped him make the miraculous 51-yard catch that spurred a comeback for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

The 49ers were trailing the Detroit Lions 24-10 in the third quarter when quarterback Brock Purdy threw a deep ball that bounced off cornerback Kindle Vildor's facemask into Aiyuk's hands.

AIYUK UNBELIEVABLE!

📺: #DETvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gm8L5xwa9D
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2024

When asked about the improbable catch by Fox Sports' Erin Andrews after the game, Aiyuk credited a ladybug that visited him earlier in the day.

"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

Aiyuk finished with three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown as the 49ers defeated the Lions 34-31 to set up a Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs.