News Clippings in History: Ballage Fumbles; Chargers Win Dramatic Super Bowl In Overtime

December 12, 2019

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-20 in overtime in a thrilling Super Bowl 21 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

In a stunning turn of events, Buccaneers RB and League MVP Kalen Ballage fumbled the ball at the goal line with the game tied and 12 seconds left in the 4th quarter. Chargers LB Melvin Ingram was credited with the strip.

“I just saw the ball and I knew I had to go for it,” Ingram said after the game. “I knew we needed a stop and I was able to come up with the play. I’m just grateful to be able to help my team win.”

Before that, the Chargers tied the game with a Baker Mayfield TD pass to Melvin Gordon with two minutes to go.

In overtime, the Buccaneers won the coin toss and received the ball but on the second play, Tampa Bay QB Drew Lock threw an INT deep down the field to Chargers DB Damarious Randall.

“We knew we had to make a play and we were able to do that,” Randall said. “We had a great game plan and we executed it well.”

Baker Mayfield led the Chargers into field goal range but head coach Alex decided to keep the offense on the field. Melvin Gordon scored the walk-off TD from 5 yards out.

“I’m just proud of the way our guys fought,” Alex said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was. But our guys never gave up and they found a way to win. That’s what champions do.”

Ocho, who lost his second Super Bowl, was gracious in defeat.

“Congratulations to the Chargers,” he said. “They made the plays when it mattered and they deserved to win. We gave it our all but it wasn’t enough.”

Kalen Ballage, who fumbled the ball at the end of regulation, was devastated after the game.

“I let my team down and I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll never forget this moment and I’ll use it as motivation to come back stronger next season.”

In the end, it was the Chargers who came out on top in a classic Super Bowl matchup.