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

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.

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.