Jaquiski Tartt couldn't corral a potential pick up in the fourth quarter. (0:20)
The moment San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt had been waiting for since he was a child, came with just under 10 minutes left in the game.
Matthew Stafford's deep ball was intended for Van Jefferson, but he threw it away. The only one with a chance to catch it was Tartt.
The Niners had a 10-point lead and all they had to do was get it in.
None of that happened. The ball slipped through the fingers of Tartt and fell harmlessly to the turf.
That is a play I should make in my sleep, but I didn't.
The Rams capitalized on a mistake by Tartt to score 13 unanswered points and win the game and a chance to play in the Super Bowl on their home field.
An emotional Tartt was left to pick up the pieces.
A lot of athletes dream of being in a tie ball game and being able to change the game. I knew I could make that play, but I didn't make it. I feel like I let my brothers down, 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... #Believdat
— Jaquiski 'Quaski' Tartt (@quaski) January 31, 2022
After the game, Tartt went to the social media site and said no excuses. He spent about five minutes answering questions from the media and shouldering the blame for the missed opportunity.
I saw it and I thought we were going to win the game.
Fred Warner reminded him there was more football left to be played. The missed chance to get the ball back gave way to renewed life for the Rams.
On the next play, Stafford hit Beckham for a gain of 29 yards, which turned into 44 yards when Ward was called for unnecessary roughness.
The Niners were able to hold the Rams to a field goal, but the defense was unable to keep them out of the end zone.
Despite the drop, coach Kyle Shanahan was quick to remind everyone that last week Tartt made a possible game-saving tackle on a long pass for Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones. The Niners were within striking distance just before halftime after that tackle.
He thought he was one of the best players on the field last week.
Many of his teammates did their best to lift him up after the game, and that's a sentiment echoed by them.
Nick Bosa said it was hard to really say anything to help him. It is football. It is one play, and we will be there for him.
Tartt is going into an uncertain offseason. He was an unrestricted free agent for the second time in as many years after posting 64 tackles in 14 games.
The play he did not make will linger for longer.
It was a moment of truth and the moment of truth showed that I didn't step up. When I was a kid, I saw those guys make those plays for the team, make the big-time interception, and I was like, "I can be that guy."
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