A Requested Theory About Pete Carroll

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

I received some messages about yesterday’s post. People don’t want to forget and move on yet. So, for those still wallowing in the horror we witnessed, how about this:

A city filled with caffeine and great music is slow and quiet lately. The number of Prozac prescriptions are up, sure to increase more in the coming weeks. Why, in that situation, in that game, would Darrell Bevell call that play? Why would Pete Carroll approve it?

I believe the answer can be found in New England after the 1999 NFL season.

Most of us have been fired from a job in which we felt we had performed well. Almost immediately after, our minds turn to our future success; success that will cause our former employer to regret the firing. A “I’ll show them” attitude. Heck, watch American Idol’s audition episodes. The rejected contestants always walks away yelling about how the show will regret the decision.

That was Pete Carroll in 1999.

Carroll’s/Bevell’s ill-fated call was about arrogance. I have yet to hear one explanation to sway my opinion. Carroll didn’t want to just win, he wanted to show Robert Kraft that the Seahawks can run any play in any situation. His coaching and his quarterback were the smartest and best on the field.

Carroll and Wilson! Not Belichick and Brady.

It’s frustrating, yes, but I understand it. Too often fans don’t speak of athletes and coaches as people. People mess up. People allow their emotions to get the best of them at times. For Carroll it happened at a time none of us can understand.

114.4-million people watched in utter disbelief. “Worst call in Super Bowl history” was said on national television over and over. And of course it was but from a human perspective, I understand it. I hate it, but I understand it.

So now what? Is Pete Carroll’s legacy in question? If he wins the next three titles, will “The Call” still be “The Call”?

Short answer, yes, but 12s if Seattle wins even one more Super Bowl, Sunday’s outcome won’t frustrate us as much. Oh, it’ll never feel OK, but the pain will be significantly less.

With Pete Carroll, you are going to get the guy who shows a choke gesture to a kicker, like in 1992. Also in Carroll, you get a guy who can turn a 3 – 3 record into 12 – 4 mark, winning the NFC title again.

Just keep in mind the players need our support. They are truly hurting. Bruce Irvin didn’t make that awful decision and LOB gave their offensive counterparts a shot.

So stay the course, 12s. As is always the case, this too shall pass.

GO HAWKS!

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