COLUMN: A rare shot at redemption

This might be the most exciting Super Bowl matchup we have seen in a while. The Seattle Seahawks are back in the championship game for the first time since their heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in 2015.  

I was in middle school – yikes.  

This year they head to Levi Stadium to face off against ... the Patriots. After I got past my PTSD from them dominating my teens, I realized what a unique opportunity the Seahawks have at redemption.  

If my diehard fans can close their eyes and ears for a moment: When these two teams met 11 years ago, the Seahawks were on the verge of scoring a potentially game-winning touchdown against the Patriots. They were at the goal line with under a minute left and all they had to do was hand the ball off to Marshawn ‘Beast Mode’ Lynch.  

Simple right?  

Nope, the Seahawks opted to pass the ball on 2nd and goal but it was intercepted by Malcolm Butler in the final seconds of the game. I’m not from Washington, but I’m not oblivious that this moment has probably haunted this franchise and fanbase since.  

Fast forward to this Sunday, and the Seahawks have one of the rarest shots at redemption. I don’t know what the odds of getting a rematch with a team you lost to in the Super Bowl are, but they have to be slim.  

It’s happened. My dearly beloved Cincinnati Bengals have been to the big dance on three occasions. Thankfully, one of them was in my lifetime. The first two came against the San Francisco 49ers, and they lost both times.  

The difference in this case is there is no Joe Montana or Tom Brady standing in Seattle’s way. The Seahawks come into this game touted by mainstream pundits as the most well-rounded team in the NFL.  

Yes, the teams are very different. Coaches have changed, quarterbacks have moved on, legendary defenses have faded away.  

However, if I am any Seahawks fan, to win your first Super Bowl since then against the same franchise has to be the perfect full circle moment.