A somber Pete Carroll was interviewed after the Seattle Seahawks lost Super Bowl 49 to the New England Patriots. When asked about the Seahawks' final play call, on which quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception at the goal line, Carroll took full responsibility, saying "I told those guys that's my fault totally."
Many immediately blamed Darrell Bevell, the Seahawks' offensive coordinator. Whether Carroll was protecting his coach, he didn't say. Odds are, Carroll's words are little consolation to Seahawks fans who were clambering for Marshawn Lynch to be given the ball on second-and-1 from the Patriots' 1-yard line.
Malcolm Butler made perhaps the play of the game when, on a called pass play by the Seahawks, he jumped in front of a Russell Wilson pass intended for Ricardo Lockette, knocking Lockette over and securing the ball. On the play before, Marshawn Lynch ran for four yards before being dragged down just short of the end zone.
Seahawks players were reportedly as unhappy as fans about the play call.
Standing w @Seahawks as they walk thru tunnel and one says best back in football and we throw the ball on one yard line
— melissa stark (@melissastark) February 2, 2015
Seahawks players are ripping the hell out of that last call. Openly.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) February 2, 2015
I’m in the Seahawks locker room. Wow. Talking about despair! Those who can speak are freely ripping that last play call. Big time.
— Terence Moore (@TMooreSports) February 2, 2015
Marshawn Lynch asked if he's surprised he didn't get the football. Says "No." I ask him, Why not? Says, "Because football is a team sport."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) February 2, 2015