Marshawn Lynch: I was expecting the ball in the Super Bowl

The Seattle Seahawks' decision to pass the ball rather than hand it off to Marshawn Lynch in what ultimately was their final offensive play of Super Bowl XLIX surprised just about everybody, including the Seahawks' running back.

While in Turkey, Lynch admitted to NTV Spor that he expected to get the ball (H/T ESPN).

"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," he said in the interview.

"I had no problem with the decision of the play calling. I mean, you know, 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 mean, I have full ... 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 in? Yes, I would have."

Lynch's comments are interesting to say the least. He seemingly defends Pete Carroll and the Seahawks coaching staff for the decision, saying that football is "a team sport," while at same time entertaining the conspiracy theory that Seattle didn't give him the ball because they wanted Russell Wilson, not him, to be the hero.

On the surface, such a theory seems ridiculous. One would have to imagine that Carroll and the coaching staff were solely focused on doing what they could to put Seattle in a position to win. However, it can't be completely ignored when it seems like at least a part of Lynch believes it to be true.

One thing is for sure: Lynch thinks he should have gotten the ball... and he's right.

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