Marshawn Lynch: ‘I was expecting the ball’ on decisive Super Bowl play

Like everyone else on the planet, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was expecting to get the ball on the play that decided Super Bowl XLIX, he says.

Speaking to a television network in Turkey while visiting that country to support an American Football Without Barriers camp, Lynch talked about the play that allowed the New England Patriots to preserve a 28-24 victory.

“To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was expecting the ball,� Lynch said. “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.�

Although Lynch seems to accept what happened on the Seahawks’ final play with the ball, he still seems to regret the team’s decision to throw.

Instead of running the ball with Lynch, the Seahawks elected to pass on second and goal from inside the 1-yard line. Quarterback Russell Wilson’s pass was picked off by New England’s Malcolm Butler, dissolving the Seahawks’ chance at a second consecutive title.

“I had no problem with the decision of the play-calling,� Lynch said. “I mean, you know, I think it was more of a -- how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in, I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl, that’s pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time.

“I don’t know what went into that call,� Lynch 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 confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we’ve done it so many more times. But would I love to had the ball in? Yes, I would have.�