Say what you want about Pete Carroll's botched fourth-down call with Reggie Bush on the sideline in the 2006 National Championship Game that allowed Vince Young to take back over and score to give Texas the National Championship.
That play was brought up late Sunday night. But nothing will compare to his botched decision on second down from the Patriots' 1-yard line with the Super Bowl on the line and history in the making with a possible repeat.
Carroll's decision — it was ultimately his responsibility to veto the offensive coordinator's call — to roll with a quick slant into the teeth of the Patriots' goal-line defense instead of handing the ball to the best short-yardage running back in football will haunt him forever.
Carroll's explanation after the game, that he was playing the matchups and throwing against New England's goal-line package, made absolutely no sense and flew in the face of everything the Seahawks are supposed to be — a smashmouth football team with a running back that goes by "#BeastMode."
There were all kinds of reports of disgruntled, upset players in the Seahawks' locker room after the game, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and they had good reason. Marshawn Lynch, BeastMode himself, said the right thing after the game, saying he wasn't surprised he didn't get the ball because football is a team sport, but you have to think Lynch was pretty perplexed himself.
The Seahawks are going to be good for a long time, and they'll likely be back in the Super Bowl sooner rather than later, but Sunday night's botched decision will never be forgotten.
