New England Patriots fans can’t bear to watch David Tyree’s historic catch in Super Bowl XLII. Likewise, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockettte can’t bring himself to relive Super Bowl XLIX’s deciding play.
Lockette was the intended receiver on the Seahawks’ final play of the game — a goal-line pass that Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler famously intercepted to seal New England’s fourth Super Bowl title.
“I can’t watch the film. I absolutely can’t stand to see it,” Lockette wrote on The Players’ Tribune. “People have told me it was the perfect interception. People have told me there’s a camera angle where it looks like I’m about to walk right into the end zone. People have told me all sorts of things about the last play of Super Bowl XLIX. I wouldn’t know. Whenever it comes on, I turn away.”
The play happened so fast, and it didn’t take long for Lockette to find out the Seahawks’ bid for back-to-back Super Bowl titles was about to end.
“The next thing I know, I’m on the turf on my knees,” Lockette wrote. “I’m looking around like, Okay, it’s incomplete? I look across to the Patriots’ sideline, and I see Tom Brady jumping up and down. And then I look across to our sideline and I see our guys with this blank look, with their heads dropped.
“I will never forget that pain. Never.”
Luckily for Lockette and the Seahawks, they have a tremendous chance to return to the Super Bowl next season. Their defense still is among the NFL’s best, and the offense will be bolstered by star tight end Jimmy Graham’s addition.
That said, no matter how many championships Lockette wins, nothing will erase the memory of Super Bowl XLIX. Losses tend to stick in your mind much longer than wins.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
