George Kittle was chatting when Chiefs’ George Karlaftis saw, recovered a fumble

It’s something coaches have been saying for as long as sports have been around: “Always play to the whistle.”

Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis did just that in Super Bowl LVIII, but San Francisco tight end George Kittle didn’t, and it may have resulted in a turnover for the 49ers.

On the Niners’ opening drive of the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, they had moved into Chiefs’ territory. But the drive ended on a fumble by running back Christian McCaffrey.

As he was blocking Karlaftis, Kittle’s back was to McCaffrey and didn’t realize the ball was coming out. Mic’d-up video shows Karlaftis’ eyes were on the play, while Kittle was trying to strike up a conversation with his fellow George.

That split-second of chit-chat may have allowed Karlaftis to recover the fumble and end the 49ers’ drive.

That was a great play by the Chiefs’ Leo Chenal and Mike Pennal. It was also good concentration from Karlaftis as the Chiefs kept the 49ers from a possible score.