For a brief period, an alternate reality emerged in which Woolen’s name could have become infamous among Seattle sports fans.
Advertisement
With the Seahawks leading 31-20 late in the third quarter, Woolen was called for taunt after breaking up a pass intended for Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua on third-and-12.
This reckless penalty gave Los Angeles a first down, and on the next play, the Rams capitalized with a 34-yard touchdown.
Reflecting on the incident, Woolen admitted, “Even though I made a great play, I wasn’t great for my team, and I have to be better about it and celebrate with the team. On the next play, they scored a touchdown, and that wouldn’t have happened if I had just celebrated with the team.”
Referee Clay Martin later clarified in a pool report that Woolen had “spoke to the Rams bench” and continued despite “repeated efforts by the covering official to get him to turn around and go to his own bench,” prompting the flag.
Advertisement
The error in judgment, one of three taunting penalties for Woolen this season, initially sparked frustration on the Seahawks bench.
Linebacker Ernest Jones said it took the team “a handful of seconds” to regain its composure. However, Seattle’s defense quickly regrouped, a crucial response given the Rams’ subsequent drive.
Los Angeles then mounted its longest drive of the game, a 14-play, 84-yard possession that consumed more than seven minutes.
Despite reaching the Seattle six-yard line, the Seahawks defense held firm. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was forced to throw two incomplete passes, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Advertisement
The tension culminated when Rams coach Sean McVay decided to go for it on 4th-and-4, only for Stafford’s pass to be broken up in the end zone by Devon Witherspoon.
When the raucous fans at Lumen Field erupted in celebration, it marked a fitting end to a rollercoaster of emotions for Woolen, coach Mike Macdonald and the entire Seahawks team.
Head coach Mike MacDonald defended Woolen but told him he should learn from his mistake (Getty Images)
Defensive lineman Byron Murphy II underscored the team’s unity, saying, “We just told each other that you guys have to keep going, keep playing. We’ve got Riq’s back no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative, you just have to keep moving forward.”
Advertisement
Coach Mike Macdonald echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to support a teammate who made “an emotional decision.”
He added: “That’s not the time to point (the finger), get angry. You’ve got to play the next play and score and come back and come back. Riq came back and played well the rest of the game. I mean, it’s literally like ’12 as one’. Keep encouraging each other.”
Safety Julian Love, who described himself as the “glue” of the defense, played a key role in ensuring Woolen’s mistake didn’t derail the team.
Recognizing the penalty as a “bad decision,” Love intervened to avoid an aggressive confrontation.
Advertisement
He recalled telling Woolen: “Don’t do that again, obviously. But I love you and you’re going to make plays for us. That’s how we approach what’s next.”
Thanks to this collective resilience and leadership, Woolen’s name will be remembered for his team’s Super Bowl triumph, rather than a moment of costly indiscretion.
From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read and more in your inbox, click here.