Pete Carroll on Today show: Last play call won't define Seahawks

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll spoke to Today show host Matt Lauer and said he won't let the last play in the Super Bowl define the team.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Feb 5, 2015

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll spoke to Today show host Matt Lauer about criticism he has received regarding his decision to pass on the one-yard line instead of handing the ball off to running back Marshawn Lynch, leading to the game-ending interception in Super Bowl XLIX and a 28-24 loss for Seattle.

Carroll said Russell Wilson’s interception by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, was “the worst result of a call ever,” and said if Wilson would have thrown a touchdown pass “nobody would have thought twice about it.”

Carroll said he had a responsibility to explain why the play call was made.

“It’s been a whirlwind. I feel responsible to a lot of people right now," Carroll said. "I had to get my mind right so that I could take on with what I was going to do and that was to face everyone."

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Seattle called timeout after getting the ball to the five-yard line following a 33-yard catch by Jermaine Kearse, and Carroll said the team planned to throw the ball at least once in the following sequence of plays. Lynch gained four yards on first down before Wilson threw the interception on the next play. Carroll says he thought they could take advantage of New England's defense, as the Patriots still had their goal-line personnel on the field.

Carroll admitted that he hasn’t watched television since the game but knows that he is being criticized for the play call.

“I’m getting some sleep. I wake up and can't stop thinking about it,” Carroll told Today.

Carroll said he was equipped mentally to handle the outcome of the game.

"That one moment isn’t going to define this team and who we are. This is a championship team, it’s a great team that plays great football and plays as a team in a wonderful way. So that moment is what people might want to define us by, but it won’t because we know the truth," he said. - Scooby Axson

GALLERY: SI'S BEST PHOTOS FROM SUPER BOWL 49

SI's Best Photos from Super Bowl XLIX

Malcolm Butler intercepts a pass intended for Richardo Lockette to prevent the Seahawks from scoring a would-be winning touchdown in the final minute.

Malcolm Butler's first career interception gave the Patriots their fourth Super Bowl victory in the past 14 years.

Butler's teammates congratulate him for making the game-saving pickoff on a second-and-goal play from the one.

New England coach Bill Belichick gets a Gatorade bath.

The Patriots celebrate their thrilling last-minute victory.

A victorious Tom Brady was named the game's MVP.

Tom Brady put the Patriots up 28-24 with this three-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edeman with 2:02 remaining.

Julian Edelman was a thorn in the Seahawks' side all night, catching nine passes for 109 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

After falling behind by four in the fourth quarter, Seattle got a 31-yard pass to Marshawn Lynch to get into Patriots territory.

Just as the New York Giants got a miraculous catch by David Tyree in their Super Bowl upset of New England, Seattle got one from Jermaine Kearse that gave the Seahawks first-and-goal at the five with a little over a minute to go.

Kearse kept his eye on the ball and batted it around three times before pulling it in.

Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was the defender covering Kearse on this 33-yard completion.

Chandler Jones celebrates one of the three sacks of Russell Wilson.

Danny Amendola scores on a four-yard touchdown to pull New England to within three points of the Seahawks, 24-21.

Unheralded Chris Matthews was the star for Seattle, catching four balls for 109 yards and a touchdown at the close of the first half.

Matthews hadn't caught an NFL pass before Sunday's game.

The Seahawks passed up a field-goal attempt with six seconds left before the half and Matthews rewarded them with this scoring catch.

Matthews' catch tied the game at 14-14 at the half.

Earlier in the first half Matthews caught a 44-yard pass against Kyle Arrington.

Matthews' catch against Arrington set up a three-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch that made it a 7-7 game.

Marshawn Lynch finished with 102 yards on 24 carries and this lone touchdown. The Seahawks questionable playcalling in the closing minute denied him the chance to score a likely game winner.

First-year Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell caught one of Tom Brady's four touchdown passes.

Seattle got a touchdown-saving interception by Jeremy Lane in the first quarter but he left the game after injuring his left forearm on the return.

Lane's injury forced Tharold Simon into the game as a replacement and he was the defender on three of the Patriots four touchdown passes.

Lane tried to cushion his fall by extending his arm.

His interception was one of two Seattle came up with against Tom Brady.

Logan Ryan prevents Jermaine Kearse from catching a pass.

Tom Brady equaled Joe Montana with four Lombardi Trophies and three Super Bowl MVPs. He was 37 for 50 for 328 yards against the NFL's top-ranked defense. (Text credit: AP)