San Francisco 49ers' Jaquiski Tartt laments missed interception - 'I let my brothers down'

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — With just under 10 minutes left in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, the moment San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt had dreamed of since he was young hung in the air for a second and then another and another and another.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had just uncorked a misguided deep ball down the middle of the field, the pass theoretically intended for receiver Van Jefferson. But Tartt was the only one with a realistic chance to catch it.

All Tartt had to do was haul it in and the Niners' 10-point lead might have grown and the Niners might well have gone on to their second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons.

None of that happened. The ball and, potentially, the game slipped through Tartt's fingers and fell harmlessly to the SoFi Stadium turf.

«That's a play I should make in my sleep and I didn't make it,» Tartt said.

The Rams capitalized on Tartt's mistake, rattling off 13 straight points after the drop to turn a 10-point deficit into a 20-17 win and a chance to win Super Bowl LIV on their home turf.

An emotional Tartt was left to pick up the pieces.

«It's a moment a lot of athletes I know dream of, just being in this moment, tie ball game and you can make the game changing play,» Tartt said. «For me, that's something I was thinking about all week. I know I can make that play and when the play came up, I didn't make it. I know that was a big play in the game, a big opportunity for me and for the team and as a player I just feel like I let my brothers down.»

No excuses!!! I deserve all the criticism my way! Opportunity I dream of I came up short!!! Let my brothers down!!! It Still won't define me as a person/player. Only will get stronger and better… <a