Conspiracy theorists say Pete Carroll passed to keep Marshawn out of end zone
Feb 2, 2015, 3:10 PM | Updated: 3:45 pm
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, center, watches as players react after Russell Wilson was intercepted by New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
As if the decision to pass at the end of the ill-fated Super Bowl wasn’t enough, now Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has to deal with a growing conspiracy theory he didn’t want Marshawn Lynch to score the game-winning touchdown.
It seems absurd to think Carroll’s decision to throw on second down with the Seahawks on the one-yard line instead of running Lynch was nothing more than a calculated decision that went horribly wrong.
In true Carroll fashion, Seahawks coach didn’t consider downside to passing
But a small cadre across the Internet including former Seahawks offensive lineman John Moffitt are claiming Carroll chose to keep Lynch out of the end zone to prevent him from being named Super Bowl MVP, keeping him out of the postgame spotlight and strengthening Seattle’s hand in offseason contract negotiations.
Russel Wilson press conference v beast mode press conference. That's what it came down to in petes mind.
— John Moffitt (@Moffitt74) February 2, 2015
“That’s what it looked like,” one unnamed player told NFL.com’s Michael Silver, who was quick to minimize it.
“I’d be willing to bet that he merely muttered it out of frustration, and that it was a fleeting thought,” Silver wrote.
But other reporters pointed out a number of players were critical of the call, even if they don’t think there was any conspiracy in play.
Seahawks players are ripping the hell out of that last call. Openly.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) February 2, 2015
Standing w @Seahawks as they walk thru tunnel and one says best back in football and we throw the ball on one yard line
— melissa stark (@melissastark) February 2, 2015
Knowledgeable insiders continue to dismiss the conspiracy and those promoting it out of hand.
“It’s a dumb, irrational theory,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Dan Carson. “No NFL coach would never make a business decision with the biggest game of his life on the line.”
But like the JFK assassination or the Twin Towers, the conspiracy theorists are likely to keep making hay with the “Lynchspiracy” for some time to come.
Some accuse the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell of being in on the conspiracy as well.
@710ESPNSeattle
ask yourself WHO gained the most FINANCIALLY from that weird outcome! it will lead u to what really went on #FollowTheMoney— Alex Jones (@Quantum_Leaps3) February 2, 2015
REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES. #Lynchspiracy pic.twitter.com/c7nzej4d27
— Dan Carson (@DrCarson73) February 2, 2015
