Posted on 02/08/2026 3:11:37 PM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at si.com ...
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Pete Carroll is a highly accomplished football coach, known for winning both a college football national championship with USC and a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
Winning!
Ball on the ONE yard line. 2nd and goal. 40 seconds on the clock and it’s 4 down territory. You run it twice and throw it on 4th down. PENTY OF TIME.
FUPC
It was thw worst call ever, but the Pats should have been called for defensive holding. Malcom Butler grabbed Jermaine Kearse by the back of his collar to prevent Kearse from making pick block.
this is classic Monday morning quarterbacking
if they ran it and fumbled, we would also be going on about how bad choosing a running play was
That’s cool. I still thank him to this day and I’m not a Pat’s fan.
Tom Osborne played Lawrence Phillips in a bowl game after Phillips dragged his girl friend down the stairs by the hair. Winning was more important to Osborne. Phillips died at age 47. Marshawn Lynch is still alive and just as ugly as before. Just give him the ball.
He’s also known for major cheating in college football. How wins will forever have a. Asterisk beside them.He’s a damn disgrace who never got punished for his crap. I thoroughly enjoyed watching that play later and seeing his team loose from his stupidity.
The 12th man belonged to A&M well before that franchise was conceived.
No it doesn’t match the level of energy of College Station and I’m a Longhorn.
Seattle is a scum bag cesspool of a town.
But I’m not watching the scripted crap out of the woke National Felon League.
“major cheating in college football” LOLLLLLLL!
No Sh*t Sherlock. It’s part of the game. Grow up.
Ha!
He has actually admitted he called the wrong place several times.has actually admitted he called the wrong place several times.
“Pete Carroll is a highly accomplished football coach...”
He’s also a liar, a cheat, and cost 30 student athletes their scholarships. In 2010, the NCAA hit the USC football program with severe penalties for major violations, primarily stemming from Reggie Bush receiving impermissible benefits and a failure to monitor the program during the Pete Carroll era. Sanctions included a two-year postseason bowl ban (2010-2011), the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, and vacating 14 wins, including the 2005 Orange Bowl.
And then he turned around and said he had no idea this was happening. Right! A college head coach that doesn’t know his players were being advised and trained by ex pro players on the grounds? The next year, January 2010, he was announced to be the new head coach at Seattle by having strings pulled for him by Holmgren and Parcells and his bailing at USC so they wouldn’t punish him as he was no longer affiliated with the NCAA. So they nailed the college and the athletes past, current, and down the road. Nice guy...
When does winning overshadow the future of student athletes? Pete didn’t care.
wy69
That must have come after 2023.
I’d be interested in know what opened his eyes in the past 3 years that he didn’t see from 2015-2023.
Some might pronounce that like
It was a stupid play. Too condensed in the middle.much greater chance for blocked pass or interception. Carroll was playing it cute. Probably thought the pats would have been surprised...pass should have been to center of receiver body, not his outstretched hands.
Play action, student body right, statue of liberty, fade to the corner after faked run to the Beast,qb draw, have extra lineman or two in backfield and run it down their throat, 2 minute drill, tons of better plays.I used to care.
**He’s also known for major cheating in college football.**
U R jealous because like Belecheck he has(had) a young girlfriend.
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