49ers All-Pro LB reveals what 'scarred (him) for life'

Niners linebacker Fred Warner was only 23 years old at the time and not yet the perennial Pro Bowler that he is now.

Warner said Thursday that one thing about the title game defeat still haunts him to this day.

The former third-round pick played all 79 of San Francisco's defensive snaps in the 31-20 setback, recording one of the game's four interceptions, while adding one pass defended and one tackle for a loss. Warner also finished second on the 49ers in tackles that night with seven.

A touchdown run from running back Raheem Mostert gave the Niners a 20-10 edge late in the third quarter before quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs rallied with three touchdowns over the final six minutes and 17 seconds of the contest.

San Francisco maintained its 10-point advantage until midway through the fourth when Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce for a one-yard touchdown. A three-and-out from the Jimmy Garoppolo-led Niners offense gave the ball back to Kansas City and less than three minutes later and Mahomes-to-Damien Williams touchdown pass put them ahead for good.

Since the defeat, a worldwide pandemic has come and gone, and Warner has become a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro.

On Feb. 11, the former BYU Cougar will get a chance at revenge against the Chiefs and try to lead the 49ers to their first championship since 1995.