The rematch of the AFC Championship game took place to kick off the 2024 NFL season, as the Baltimore Ravens nearly completed a late-game comeback vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tight end Isaiah Likely caught a touchdown as time expired, however, this call got overturned upon review, since his toe appeared to be slightly touching the white line in the back of the end zone.
ESPN screengrab
The NFL literally never disappoints it's so freaking amazing
Opening night, Mahomes vs Lamar, comes down to the last play of the game with Lamar making an amazing play that doesn't count
If Isaiah Likely wore cleats that were 1 size smaller that's a TD pic.twitter.com/oZEEy3ksjc
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) September 6, 2024
Lamar Jackson and Likely nearly connected on what would have been a potentially game-winning play, as the score would have been 27-26, and coach John Harbaugh signaled to "go for 2," after the call was initially ruled a touchdown.
All in all, considering the game was at Arrowhead Stadium, the fans heckled Likely following what took place, and he apparently didn't like it as he yelled back at them, "F*** you, b****."
NSFW#Ravens TE Isaiah Likely yells, “F—k you, b—h” at a heckling Chiefs fan after the loss pic.twitter.com/AUvoKKgLhh
— Landon Reinhardt (@landonian87) September 6, 2024
The 24-year-old put on an impressive performance with nine catches, 111 yards receiving and a touchdown (almost a second one).
Isaiah Likely’s big toe costed this dude a chance at turning $10 into $5.6k 😩
PAIN
(via @IzUaWizaad_ / @FDSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/f903iLdXUX
— ClutchPoints Betting (@CPBetting) September 6, 2024
To point out, it was actually a surprise that Likely was even able to line up on the last play, as with 10 seconds left he came down with an apparent rib injury and had to be helped off the field.
Looks like a possible rib injury for Isaiah Likely pic.twitter.com/ude7ZIwqDg
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) September 6, 2024
Isaiah Likely is down getting checked by trainers after a coming down hard after an attempted catch. pic.twitter.com/0vt5gEWpTK
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 6, 2024
With the game being decided by an inch, opposing quarterback Patrick Mahomes added fuel to the fire, stating after the game that the 6-foot-4 big man should have worn white cleats.
"Gotta wear white cleats next time, that's my advice for him."
Patrick Mahomes had some fashion advice for Isaiah Likely after the Chiefs win against the Ravens 😅 pic.twitter.com/YQtgeXsIOF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 6, 2024
Important to consider, the game shouldn't have even come down to one inch, as Jackson previously missed two seemingly wide open targets on the plays before the last one.
🚨REMINDER… LAMAR JACKSON MISSED ON BACK TO BACK PLAYS, WIDE OPEN RECEIVERS, which would have put the #Ravens in position to win the game
Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone & a wide open Zay Flowers.
LOSING BY AN INCH SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED☝️ pic.twitter.com/fyU0WDUTXL
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 6, 2024
Lamar Jackson seeing the main story of the game become Isaiah Likely's Toe instead of Lamar missing open receivers in the end zone on the 2 previous plays #Kickoff2024 pic.twitter.com/OD2B9qQjiM
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) September 6, 2024
After the losing the game 27-20, Likely gave some remarks insinuating that the Ravens were the better team, despite the result not going in their favor.
Isaiah Likely CALLS OUT the Chiefs after the Ravens’ Week 1 loss
“This is probably the worst game we’re gonna play all year. So if this is the best that they got, I mean, good luck in the postseason” pic.twitter.com/hJzSXZqzDx
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 6, 2024
"This is probably the worst game we're gonna play all year," Likely said. "So if this is the best that they got, I mean, good luck in the postseason."
Related: NFL Conspiracy Theorists Ponder How Did The Chiefs Get Away With An Illegal Timeout Call
