Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has admitted that he was expecting to receive the ball on the goalline in the deciding play of the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks lost the Vince Lombardi trophy match to the New England Patriots as Russell Wilson was intercepted by Malcolm Butler on the one-yard line when attempting a pass to Ricardo Lockette.
The decision to not hand the ball to Lynch has been widely criticised after he had scored earlier in the game, although the 28-year-old is adamant that he has no problem with the call to go with Wilson and the designed play.
Lynch said on Turkish television: "To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I was expecting the ball. Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it's a team sport.
"I had no problem with the decision of the playcalling. I think it was more of a ... how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl, that's pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time.
"I don't know what went into that call. I mean, maybe it was a good thing that I didn't get the ball. I mean, you know, it cost us the Super Bowl. I have full confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we've done it so many more times. But would I love to had the ball there? Yeah, I would have."
Lynch is currently in a contract dispute with the Seahawks over his return to the club for the 2015 season.
Simon Sinclair
