The decision by the Seattle Seahawks to pass the ball on the 1-yard line in Super Bowl XLIX, instead of handing it off to their powerhouse running back Marshawn Lynch, remains one of the most debated calls in NFL history. This controversial play, executed by quarterback Russell Wilson, resulted in a game-sealing interception by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, securing a 28-24 victory for New England.
Recently, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll revisited this infamous moment during an interview with former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman on the “Richard Sherman Podcast.” Despite years of criticism, Carroll stood by the decision, offering his long-awaited explanation for why the ball wasn’t given to Lynch in that critical situation.
“You guys were so mad at me and pissed,” Carroll acknowledged, recalling the immediate aftermath of the Super Bowl loss.
“We were hurt,” Sherman admitted, echoing the sentiments of Seahawks fans and players alike.
Carroll elaborated on the thinking behind the play call, stating it wasn’t a pre-designed strategy to avoid running. “It wasn’t like by design. There was no agenda. That play just happened,” Carroll emphasized. He explained the situation: with one timeout left and needing multiple plays to secure the win, the Seahawks intended to use a pass play to manage their options. According to Carroll, the Patriots’ defense was slow to deploy their goal-line personnel, while Seattle had already sent in their ’11’ personnel package. This timing influenced the play-callers’ decision to opt for a pass on that particular down. “That’s what led them to throw it on that down. It had nothing to do with anything else,” Carroll claimed. He defended the play itself, saying, “We had practiced it a million times, so I was rock solid on the philosophy of it. It was just the worst play that could’ve ever happened.”
Pete Carroll and @RSherman_25 take us behind the scenes of the Malcolm Butler interception play call in Super Bowl XLIX.
Watch the FULL interview with the @Seahawks head coach: https://t.co/LGREvVjkqQ pic.twitter.com/mtJszfBfIh
Coming off a dominant Super Bowl XLVIII victory against Denver, the Seahawks were aiming for a second consecutive championship. Carroll believes that the decision not to run the ball not only cost them that Super Bowl XLIX, but also potentially a dynasty. “Had we won that game we would have won another one,” he asserted.
Marshawn Lynch, along with many other former Seahawks players, has openly criticized the decision to pass rather than run the ball multiple times with their star running back, who was just one yard away from securing a Super Bowl victory. The question, “why didn’t Pete Carroll run the ball?” continues to resonate with NFL fans, symbolizing a pivotal moment of strategic debate and what-ifs in football history.
