'Worst play in history' explained

The New England Patriots have taken out the NFL Super Bowl, beating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24.

Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass by Russell Wilson in a play describedas "miraculous" by Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Source: Getty Images

IT'S been dubbed the worst play call in NFL history.

A decision so dumb it single-handedly cost the Seattle Seahawks the game in Monday's Super Bowlagainst New England.

It occurred with just 30 seconds left in the game with Seattle trailing the Patriots 28-24.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Seahawks had miraculously marched the ball down the field to New England's one-yard line,meaning they just had to move the ball forward one yard to give themselves a 31-28 lead and in alllikelihood back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

In Seattle's favour was the presence of star running backMarshawn Lynch, a physical brute of a man whospecialises in running the ball through traffic in situationsjust like this.

The safe play was to hand the ball to Lynch and let him dohis thing.

But instead the Seahawks coaching staff got cute andinstructed quarterback Russell Wilson to throw to widereceiver Ricardo Lockette.

And the worst possible scenario unfolded.

New England defender Malcolm Butler read the play,stepped up in front of Lockette and intercepted the pass,giving his side possession with its four-point lead in tact.

The game was over. New England win.

The question will be asked for generations: why didRussell Wilson throw the ball? Source: AFP

A shattered Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson. Source: AP

WHY DID THEY THROW THE BALL?

Shattered Seattle coach Pete Carroll explained the decision after the final whistle.

He'd seen New England line up in what's known as their goal-line defence, where they position asmany players as possible directly in front of the ball because they're expecting a running play.

In response, Seattle lined up with three receivers out wide, leaving Lockette one-on-one with rookiecornerback Butler -- who had never intercepted a ball in his NFL career.

It was only second down -- which meant even if Wilson failed to connect with Lockette and score thetouchdown, Seattle would still have two more attempts to score.

And Lynch would surely get the job done.

The added benefit in throwing the ball, in the eyes of Carroll and offensive co-ordinator DarrellBevell, was they could take a few more seconds off the clock, leaving the Patriots with less time totry to level the score when they got the ball back.

"We didn't want to run against the goal line group right there," Carroll said.

"We were playing for third and fourth down ...

"It's a miraculous play the kid made to get in front of that route."

Miraculous? Yes. But Malcolm Butler wouldn't have had the chance to make the play if Lynch hadbeen given the ball.

Butler had never made an interception in his NFL career until today. Source: AFP

HOW DID MALCOLM BUTLER REACT?

"I just had a vision that I was going to make a big play and it came true and I'm just blessed," Butlertold NBC's Michelle Tafoya.

"I can't explain it right now. I just went and made a play. It was crazy, man."

WHAT ARE THE FANS SAYING?

Understandably, they're stunned.

Originally published as 'Worst play in history' explained

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