Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers QB, faced the media after the Niners lost to the Baltimore Ravens 31 to 34 in Super Bowl XLVII. Here’s the full set of questions and Mr. Kaepernick’s answers, thanks to the NFL
Middlebar: The 49ers Beat Themselves:
49ERS QUARTERBACK COLIN KAEPERNICK
(on his mentality getting the ball needing to score at the end of the game) “We had to score. It’s the same mentality we had the whole second half.”
(on the team looking like they had more energy after the lights went out) “I mean, we were ready for the second half. We knew we had to score to get back in the game.”
(on what he did when the lights went out) “We sat there and then got ready when the lights came back on.”
(on finishing five yards short of winning a Super Bowl) “It’s very frustrating.”
(on the pass intended for Randy Moss that was intercepted by Ed Reed) “I led him a little too far up field.”
(on why the team struggled in the first half) “Things were working in the first half. We just didn’t finish our drives. We turned the ball over a couple of times and that was the difference in the game.”
(on why they struggled in the red zone) “We had good plays; we had bad plays in the red zone. They’re out there trying to play defense just as hard as we’re trying to play offense.”
(on kicking field goals instead of touchdowns) “That was just something that happened. It’s not like we’re trying to kick field goals. We’re trying to put the ball in the end zone.”
(on the fourth down play at the goal line on the last possession) “That wasn’t the original option. It’s something I audibled to at the line based on the look they gave us.”
(on what he audibled to and what was he trying to do) “It was cover-zero. I was just trying to give him a chance.”
(on what play they originally had called) “We had a play called for coverage.”
(on the reason for the interception) “I just led him too far.”
MORE 49ERS QUARTERBACK COLIN KAEPERNICK
(on if he was wanting to run the ball on that last possession near the end zone) “Not necessarily run it. We were just trying to score any way that we could.”
(on if they thought the game was theirs once they had first-and-goal at the end of the game) “Yeah, I think that last drive when we got the ball and had time to go down and score a touchdown, we thought it was our game.”
(on what goes through his mind right now after a tough loss) “We’ll be back.”
(on the first half) “Things weren’t working in the first half. We just didn’t finish our drives. We turned the ball over a couple times. That was the difference in the game.”
(on if he played a good game) “I feel like I made too many mistakes for us to win.”
(on why they played better in the second half) “In the second half we were able to put points on the board.”
(on if the defense was the reason for the offensive struggles) “No, it was our offense. We stopped ourselves.”
(on if he did his job well) “No, I didn’t. We lost, so obviously it wasn’t enough.”
Colin Kaepernick played well right to the end, and has nothing to be ashamed of.
Stay tuned.