Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch finally answered the question regarding the team's questionable play that led the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLIX, ESPN reported.
The controversial play that Lynch referred to was when Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw the ball to wide receiver Ricardo Lockette at the 1-yard line. However, the pass was intercepted by Malcolm Butler, the rookie cornerback for the Patriots.
The game ended with the Patriots securing a 28-24 win over the Seahawks.
According to Lynch, he was expecting Wilson to hand him the ball instead of passing it to Lockette.
The running back, who's also known as Beast Mode, made the explanation while at an American Football camp in Turkey. He's joined by Cleveland Browns' Gary Barnidge and DeAngelo Williams, the former running back for the Carolina Panthers.
"To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I was expecting the ball," he told Turkish sports network NTV Spor according to NESN. "Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it's a team sport."
Despite the fumble, Lynch noted that he doesn't blame anyone for the team's Super Bowl loss.
"I don't know what went into that call," he continued. "I mean, maybe, it was a good thing that I didn't get the ball. I mean, you know, it cost us the Super Bowl. I mean, I have full...I have full confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we've done it so many more times. But would I [have loved] to had the ball in? Yes, I would have."
As to why the Seahawks committed to such a play, the team's offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell previously explained that the pass by Wilson was meant to shorten the time left on the clock, Business Insider reported. This will give the Patriots less time to react after the Seahawks score a potential game-winning touchdown.
However, things didn't go as planned and the play eventually cost the Seahawks a Super Bowl win.
