Crunch Time
There are numerous things to discuss relating to Super Bowl XLIX where the New England Patriots defeated the defending world champions Seattle Seahawks 28-24.
We could go into detail about the infamous call that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made in the fourth quarter. You know, the one where his team was within one yard of scoring. Instead of having running back Marshawn Lynch run the ball into the end zone Carroll called for quarterback Russell Wilson to throw a pass — a pass intended for receiver Ricardo Lockette but was intercepted by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler.
We could go back and forth about “Deflate Gate” and the other conspiracy theories that surround the game, including Carroll supposedly changing the call from a running play to a passing one or how the Patriots and the NFL are in bed together — though Richard Sherman beat me to the punch on that one.
What about Katy Perry’s halftime show that looked like something out of a 1980s cartoon or the various commercials that made many fans uncomfortable?
But what about the moments that no one saw coming? — and I’m not talking about Missy Elliott performing at half time or the fight between both teams that resulted in Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin being ejected in the final seconds of the game. I’m referring to a couple of dark horses from both teams who had big plays in the game.
Sure the main players had their moments. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady earned his third Super Bowl MVP award and broke Joe Montana’s record of most career Super Bowl touchdowns. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch went “Beast Mode” for 24 carries, 102 yards and one touchdown. Wilson threw for 247 yards with two touchdowns. But while the spotlight was focused on guys like Brady, Lynch and Wilson, you had a couple of unknowns step up and make some plays that opened the eyes of football fans.
The first is Butler’s last-minute interception that saved the game for his team. A graduate from West Alabama, Butler signed with the Patriots after going undrafted.
Of course casual fans wouldn’t think twice about Butler. Before the Super Bowl he had only played in 11 games during the regular season and recorded 15 tackles. After his pick on Wilson, his stock went up, at least in New England.
The other unknown was Seahawks wide receiver Chris Matthews.
A graduate from Kentucky, Matthews signed with Cleveland in 2011. After the Browns released him, he played for the Iowa Barnstormers arena football team then traveled north to play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. During his first year in Winnipeg, Matthews had 81 catches for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns, which earned him the CFL — the Canadian Football League for all of you kids out there — “Most Outstanding Rookie of the Year.” His second season wasn’t as good as his first, mostly due to a metatarsophalangeal joint sprain in his big toe.
Fans know some of the next part of Matthews’ thanks to NBC sports announcers Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. He was working at Foot Locker when the Seahawks invited him to try out. He signed a contract in February 2014 and played in four preseason games before he was released. He resigned as a member of Seattle’s practice squad before being moved to the main roster in December and played in the last three games of the regular season.
Before the Super Bowl, Matthews had zero catches. After the game he had four receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown.
One of the things I love about sports is how athletes or moments can surprise us.
Will Butler and Matthews become the greatest at their positions? Probably not. Butler will reap the benefits winning his first world championship. As for Matthews, he may move up to second-string behind Doug Baldwin though I’m sure his confidence skyrocketed to where he’ll fight to be on the starting lineup.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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