Skirmish mars the end of Super Bowl XLIX
Feb 2, 2015, 4:31 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm
What an ending!
The New England Patriots snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when rookie free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler stepped in front of a Russell Wilson pass and intercepted it at the goal line with :20 left to preserve a 28-24 win.
But the game wasn’t over. The Patriots had to snap the ball from their 1-yard line on the ensuing possession. Seattle’s Michael Bennett jumped offside, giving New England some breathing room out to their own 6-yard line, which would have allowed quarterback Tom Brady to take a knee in victory formation.
The Seahawks had other plans. Tempers flared as Bennett and Bruce Irvin got into shoving matches with Patriots guard Dan Connolly and tight end Rob Gronkowski. Fights spilled into the end zone and when the skirmish stopped, Irvin was ejected.
Not a fitting end to a very entertaining Super Bowl.
Bennett explained after the game.
“Just two rowdy teams. It’s down to the final play. People were jumping, pulling. That’s what it is. I know you probably have never played football,” he said. “You’ve probably never done anything physical in your life besides pick up a microphone, but when you’re out there it’s a battle. It comes down to that. It’s one of those things where we’re fighting, they’re fighting. It’s just a little rowdy sometimes.”
Irvin was a little more remorseful in the locker room.
“I was protecting a teammate. Emotions flew. I saw somebody hit Mike Bennett, so I went and backed up my brother,” he said. “I went about it wrong. Emotions were flying high, and I apologize. But if it happened again, I would go protect my teammate. That’s just how it is.”
Further removed from the incident, Irvin took to social media to apologize.
I want to apologize to all of the younger kids for my actions last night. I was trying to protect my brother and it got out of hand.
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) February 2, 2015
It's easy to say u would have done different but in the heat of the moment I just reacted when I seen my brother get punched.
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) February 2, 2015
Still not an excuse and I'm truly sorry to all the 12's and my Wvu family for my actions.
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) February 2, 2015
