Super Bowl XLIX Champion

Lore & Background

The Patriots' victory was their fourth overall and first since 2004's Super Bowl XXXIX, ending a 10-year championship drought. They finished the regular season with a 12–4 record en route to their eighth Super Bowl appearance, tying the record held by the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, and sixth under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. The Seahawks, led by their Legion of Boom defense, also obtained a 12–4 record and were making their third Super Bowl appearance, in addition to their second consecutive after winning Super Bowl XLVIII. As the defending champions, the Seahawks were seeking to become the first to repeat since the Patriots in 2004. For the second consecutive season, both teams were the top seed from their respective conference.

In Their Own Story

The air in Glendale was thick with tension as the clock ticked down to zero seconds on the game clock, though the play remained unfinished. Russell Wilson dropped back, his eyes scanning the crowded end zone where Ricardo Lockette fought for position against the Patriots' secondary. The crowd roared, expecting a touchdown that would crown Seattle kings. But in the chaos of the formation, Malcolm Butler saw something others missed. He didn't wait for the ball; he launched himself from a crouched stance, his fingertips extending into the space between the receiver and the quarterback. Time seemed to suspend as the leather spiraled through the air, only to collide with Butler's hands. The silence that followed was deafening before erupting into pure pandemonium. In that split second of interception, a dynasty was not just defended; it was immortalized.

Reader's Guide

Super Bowl XLIX was kept within a one-possession margin until Seattle took a 10-point lead in the third quarter. New England responded by scoring 14 consecutive points during the fourth to take a 28–24 lead with just over two minutes remaining. The game is most remembered for the Seahawks' last play, in which they threatened to score a winning touchdown from New England's 1-yard line, but were intercepted in the final seconds by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler's interception is regarded as one of the greatest plays in NFL history, while Seattle's decision to pass instead of run the ball is considered one of the worst calls of all time. Brady, who set the Super Bowl record for completions at 37, was named Super Bowl MVP for the third time, tying the record held by Joe Montana. Two years later, Brady would surpass both records in Super Bowl LI.

Did You Know?

• NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XLIX set the record for most-watched program in American television history and remains the fourth-most watched American television broadcast of all time.
• The game was seen by an average of 114.4 million viewers, with it reaching 118.5 million during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show featuring Katy Perry and peaking to 120.8 million during New England's fourth quarter come
• Butler's game-winning interception was ranked fifth on NFL.coms 100 Greatest Plays, the highest defensive play.
• The two franchises would meet again in Super Bowl LX 11 years later, where the Seahawks would win 29–13.