SEATTLE — Following Monday night's controversial call at the end of the Seattle Seahawks game against the Green Bay Packers, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll addressed the media regarding the last-second play.
During the final play of the game, officials signaled the Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate scored a touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson.
A review was called, but the touchdown stood and the Seahawks defeated the Packers 14-12.
Replacement referees were the ones that made the call, and the NFL is close to reaching a deal to bring its regular officials back into the league.
The Seahawks will be away from home in the next two weeks, and Carroll told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News that it’s going to be a challenge to ignore the negative publicity.
“Our fans had the moment of their lives out there, and it was crushing on the other end. We’ve been on both sides,” said Carroll. “So the big challenge is, is us being back on course. Our guys will understand the questioning that comes their way in the next couple days.”
After Monday’s game, Carroll said he couldn’t help but see the play over and over. With his three TV’s in his office, Carroll believes Tate caught the ball every time he watched the play, but he knows there is backlash and his players should be humble.
“There are two sides to this story, in this room these guys are thrilled they’ve gotten a win, but to understand there’s another way of looking at this,” Carroll said. “It’s been a very interesting thing to witness, it’s hard to imagine how much airtime it has gotten.”
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane is already over the controversy.
“Yeah, a lot of attention. I actually had to turn from 'SportsCenter' yesterday because it was too much. I couldn’t take it, so I just turn the TV,” said Mebane.
The media may have brought the NFL and the refs back to the bargaining table, and Carroll said that he is hopeful for the outcome.
“The guys who have been doing it are trying as hard as they can to do a great job, but I think we recognize the value of our guys that have been in it for a long time,” said Carroll.
Carroll wants his players to be aware of what they say not only on camera, but on social media such as Twitter.
On Sunday, the Seahawks will play the St. Louis Rams.
KIRO
