Pete Carroll Still Won’t Admit He Called Wrong Play in Super Bowl XLIX

Sports Illustrated ^ | August 22, 2023 | Frankie Taddeo

[DoodleBob]

The Seahawks’ decision to throw the ball from the 1-yard line, instead of opting to run the ball with Marshawn Lynch, in Super Bowl XLIX is one the most scrutinized plays in league history.

As a result of the questionable play call, Russell Wilson’s slant pass was intercepted by Patriots defensive back Malcolm Butler, sealing the 28–24 victory for New England.

….

The 71-year-old coach laid out the rationale for the club’s ill-advised decision to not run the ball.

“It wasn’t like by design. There was no agenda. That play just happened,” stressed Carroll. “You guys couldn’t hear for years, but when we got down there we had one timeout and so as soon as we got there, I said one of these plays we are going to have to throw it to get all four plays. We ran the first play and I think what happened was Bill [Belichick] was late in sending in his goal line team and we had already sent in ’11’ [personnel] and that went through the play-callers’ [mind]. That’s what led them to throw it on that down. It had nothing to do with anything else. 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.”

…The decision not to hand the ball to Lynch prevented the club from not only earning back-to-back titles, but Carroll believes a chance a potential at a three-peat.

“Had we won that game we would have won another one,” he said.

Lynch, among other former Seattle players, have publicly blasted the team’s failure to run the ball four times with their powerful running back when they needed only one yard for a championship.

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TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: calledwrongplay; petecarroll; seahawks; superbowl; superbowlxlix

[A strike]

BullSchiff

[suasponte137]

Lynch was getting like 5 yards minimum every time he got the ball. I was sure they were gonna use him to punch it in. It seemed inevitable. I was shocked when they threw it.

[cherry]

Perhaps the play went exactly as it was supposed to go..

[SkyDancer]

We Won Tonight!!!!!!!!

[Bobbyvotes]

Pete Carroll called the worst play in NFL history in that Superbowl game. Marshon was averaging 5+ yards each carry. Ball on 1 yard line and coach calls passing play? Insane call.

[Bobbyvotes]

You are ignorant about Marshon Lynch. His fumble percentage is close to zero and his career record is 5+ yards per carry average.

[Bobbyvotes]

Yes Pete Carroll was paid off.

[Getready]

Thanks.....I hope that was a compliment LOL.
Seriously, that is one aspect of the modern game that detracts. The fact that plays are chosen by history, personnel on the field, position of the ball, time left, number of time outs, and not by the qb...but by some algorithm predetermined before the game. Totally boring.
Like cheering the programmed chess moves of a computer.....

.....and like I said, I don’t care anymore. I’m too old and I know it doesn’t really matter who wins. They will be completely forgotten in 20 years. How many people, off the top of their head , know who won SB 41?