Seahawks LB Bruce Irvin apologizes for Super Bowl fight, ejection
Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin apologized after being ejected for fighting in the final minute of Seattle’s 28-24 Super Bowl XLIX loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Irvin took to Twitter to explain why he was instigator of the fight with less than 30 seconds in the game.
After Patriots rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler picked off Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to seal the game, the New England offense lined up in the victory formation to take a knee.
But Irvin locked up with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, leading Patriots guard Ryan Wendell to push Irvin, which escalated the shoving match between both teams.
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"I was protecting a teammate, emotions flew," Irvin said, according to ESPN.com. "I saw somebody hit Mike Bennett, so I went and backed up my brother. I went about it wrong. Emotions were flying high, and I apologize."
Irvin, who had two tackles and one sack in the game, was the only player in the fight who was penalized after being flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, leading to his ejection from the game.
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"But if it happened again, I would go protect my teammate,” Irvin added. “That's just how it is."
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