Like most of the NFL world outside the Bay Area, motorsports legend Mario Andretti was rooting for the Detroit Lions to reach their first Super Bowl in 2024.
Like most of the NFL world, Andretti had some words for Lions coach Dan Campbell after Detroit blew a 17-point lead in a 34-31 loss in the NFC Championship and made some risky decisions in the fourth round.
“I would have liked to see the Lions go,” Andretti told Heavy. “I like Coach Campbell, but he really blew it.”
Instead, the San Francisco 49ers advanced to the 2024 Super Bowl and will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 11th.
Andretti was one of several celebrities interviewed by Heavy Sports about their 2024 Super Bowl predictions. Andretti is a veteran of this prediction column and the only star to ever predict correctly in 15 years, doing so in 2012. As for this year:
“I’m going with the Chiefs, 28-24. It's hard to compete against Mahomes and Andy Reid is so cool. I like both quarterbacks. Brock Purdy is cool as a cucumber and has a quiet confidence. You can see it in his eyes. I like him very much. I would like to see both teams win. It’s hard to predict.”
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also likes the Chiefs
Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus is another star who has been generous in his predictions over the years. Like Andretti, he believes this will be a difficult decision and he, too, sees a narrow win for Kansas City.
“At first I was thinking 24-21 Kansas City because while both teams have decent offenses, I'm not sure these defenses will allow many explosive plays,” Nicklaus said. “But then I changed my mind and went for 27-24.
“I'm an AFC fan – always have been – but I like the 49ers and think they're very good. I love John Lynch's leadership. I think Brock Purdy did a really good job and has some really nice weapons. But Mahomes is hard to bet against. Make that Mahomes, Kelce and Swift.”
Only two celebrities chose the favored 49ers
Heavy's AI-powered forecasting model sees San Francisco as a 5-point favorite with a 66% win probability (as of Thursday, February 8).
But while Heavy's model — and all major sportsbooks — like the Niners, that's not the case for most of the celebrities surveyed.
Here are the predictions of the remaining celebrities we polled:
FRED LYNN (nine-time MLB All-Star): “This year it’s hard to call it. Both teams can score and have shown that they can come back and win. Nod goes to KC for defense. You can turn off wide receivers. CHIEFS 27, 49ERS 24.”
MARK CUBAN (entrepreneur): “I got the Chiefs. Mahomes rolls. I think the Chiefs defense is good enough to get the stops we need.” CHIEFS 42, 49ERS 27.
CORBIN BERNSEN (actor/director): “Will be close, but the urge for REPEAT always outweighs the urge for DOOM. Love instead of hate. Oh, the majority of the points are scored in the second quarter. Q3 will be a break and Q4 will provide excitement with the rush to score another field goal. I'm just saying.” CHIEFS 27, 49ERS 24.
XAVIER MCDANIEL (former NBA All-Star): “I’m a Cowboys fan. I'm a Kansas City fan, and the reason is because the Cowboys have five Super Bowls and I don't want San Francisco to have six. To me it’s a selfish thing.” CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 24.
BRAD JOHNSON (Super Bowl 37-winning quarterback): “Kyle Shanahan is finally going to win.” 49ERS 30, CHIEFS 28.
We wouldn't win our first Super Bowl if it weren't for @Brad_Johnson_14 under center.
– Made big plays while posting the third-best passer rating and best INT percentage in the NFL
-Overcame several grueling injuries, including the entire postseason with broken vertebrae. pic.twitter.com/VG6LfSan92
— Djon Mustard. The “D” is silent. (@M1K3EvansTD) February 26, 2022
DERRICK LEVASSEUR (“Big Brother” icon): “The game will be close in the end, but if the 49ers start slow like they did against the Lions, Mahomes and this offense won't let them back in the game.” CHIEFS 28, 49ERS 21.
ANTHONY HILL (actor, “Grey’s Anatomy”): “Our weapons on offense, defense and special teams are finally coming together as a unit. And rest assured, some of Mahomes' magic will be on display in Vegas. Never count out No. 15.” CHIEFS 27, 49ERS 24.
DAN JANSEN (Olympic speed skating champion): “I'll try San Francisco. The teams are pretty evenly matched, so I don’t see a clear favorite.” 49ERS 24, CHIEFS 23.
C THOMAS HOWELL (actor/musician): “Chiefs at three. Don’t bet against Taylor Swift.” CHIEFS 30, 49ERS 27.
CYNDI LAUPER (musician): “I predict a Chiefs win. Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest athletes to ever play in any professional sport. He is a phenomenon. There is also the Taylor Swift effect. The Taylor Swift Effect is real! The Chiefs will win.” NO RATING AWARDED.
JERRY MATHERS (actor): “Even though I’m a California boy, I’m not going to bet against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. I think they beat the Niners.” CHIEFS 27, 49ERS 24.
JOHN LEHR (comedian/actor): “This year’s Super Bowl is very difficult for me. After 50 years of defeat, my Chiefs are now the most hated team in the NFL because they are an unstoppable juggernaut. At 58, I was very proud to root for a team that never won. I showed my kids that I'm a true fan no matter what. Now I'm not sure who I am anymore. Still, I’m going to go against the Chiefs and end with a superhuman, game-winning, clock-making drive from Patrick Mahomes, who has to be a robot.” CHIEFS 37, 49ERS 31.
BRUCE PERREAULT (“Survivor 45” contestant): “I’m going to make a hate prediction regarding the Super Bowl. I think the Chiefs will win. Boooooo. Hahahaaa.” CHIEFS 28, 49ERS 21.
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