Why Didn’t Marshawn Lynch Get The Ball? Riddle Me This!
By Marc Singer
This is the 40-Something File!
A weekly take on the state of Seattle Sports through the lens of a guy whose four decades of Seattle fandom has earned too many scars, and seen too few celebrations.
Still agonizing over why the Seattle Seahawks chose to throw that ball, instead of hand it to Marshawn Lynch in that moment, with the Super Bowl title one measly yard away?
Join the club.
It is hard to believe nearly two weeks have passed, while the gut-wrenching reality of losing in that fashion still stings as bad as ever.
Stop to think of “The Play” for even a second since the Super Bowl’s chaotic finish, and the bad thoughts begin to creep back in. Not to mention trying to get a decent night’s sleep.
Count me among those Seahawk fans who haven’t allowed themselves one peek at the NFL Network’s post Super Bowl “Brady Worship Marathon.” That’s a knife that twists too hard.
The self-imposed NFL Network blackout has left a considerable void for a 12 like me, who basically ate, slept, and breathed the league’s programming for weeks on end. As the father of a two-year-old, there was only one responsible way to pass that new found free time: Break out the Dr. Seuss!
For days I read to my little girl. The Cat In The Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Fox In Sox, Hop On Pop… All the classics.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Like father, like daughter, every time we jumped on that couch ready to read, she would say, “watch Football?” Even though those words warmed my heart, the pain of that game kept me focused on the plan. And so we read, and we laughed, and we kept up the routine ever since.
Sad Dad from the Dr. Seuss classic, “Hop On Pop”
But I’ll be darned if, even while reading the tongue-twisting, fantastical tales of the brilliant Dr. Seuss, I could not shake the thoughts of that unrelenting loss.
And then just like that, it hit me. Strange feelings came over me, and I began to see a bright side within the darkness of that haunting play.
YOU SEE…
It’s hard to tell when life will move on. 12s are still asking: “Was the call wrong?”
In that moment on Super Bowl Day, free-fall from apex on one single play. The football took flight by mind-blowing way.
A season of triumphant, miraculous resolve, came down to the “one” and in came the call.
On the verge of euphoria, a million hopes lay in wait. A few seconds to dream how The Beast would create… A quake for the ages.
One STOMPED ON and BEAT DOWN yard in his wake!
Everyone saw it in their mind’s eye. Lynch, the misunderstood, bulldozing guy, would handle the ball and deflate (if you will), every last soul from Belichickville.
But when time to snap came down the way, shotgun to Wilson. Lynch out of the fray.
Minds-eyes went blind as pass zipped from his hand.
OH WAIT! It was caught! OH NO… By their man!!!
Days later still stunned. Words can’t explain. Still dumbfounded. Replaying that play in the brain.
But guess what? Sit down. It’s time for the truth: something was missed from the broadcast booth. And missed on the field by coaches and players. And missed by Goodell and the fans with their prayers. And missed by the millions watching everywhere…
Super Bowl Sunday, of all days to play. Are you kidding me? IT WAS OPPOSITE DAY!?!
So relax all you 12s. Re-inflate all your hopes. It’s a decent excuse. So what’s with the mopes?
Here’s the best news to bust up your haze. The ‘Hawks yet again, are Super Bowl faves!
And as for any future mind-numbing plays? Next year’s a Tuesday for Opposite Day. So with ball on the “one”, surely nothing will stand in Beastmode’s way.
…Except, of course, retirement.
(But that’s a rhyme for another time)
OK, OK… Here’s the real encouraging news: My daughter and I are moving on from Dr. Seuss to “Peppa Pig” and spring training is just around the corner.