Twenty-six seconds left on the Super Bowl XLIX clock. Seattle Seahawks runningback Marshawn Lynch had just rushed for four-yards on first-and-goal from the five-yard-line. The Seahawks trail the New England Patriots by four points, 28-24, and everyone in the world thought Beast Mode would be handed the ball again to win Seattle their second straight Super Bowl.

Instead, the Seahawks went for a quick pass. It was intercepted and the football world was stunned by the most improbable conclusion of a Super Bowl in history. Tom Brady and his Patriots had their fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy, and the Seahawks flew home on a quiet flight dripping in disappointment.

Since that game, the Seahawks had never returned to the Super Bowl until this season. No player on either roster from that game that completed the 2014 season are on the field this Sunday when the long-awaited Super Bowl rematch is staged at Levi’s Stadium. No play call has ever been more highly questioned than that pass attempt that ended the Seahawks chances for a second straight Super Bowl victory.

It was Pete Carroll who was the head coach of the Seahawks, he was out of Seattle two years ago and fired from his one-year stint in Las Vegas with the Raiders last month. Bill Belichick was the head coach of the winning Patriots in 2014 but ended his 24-year tenure with the Patriots in 2023.

So, with no players and no coaches in action this Sunday that were involved in the game 11 years ago is there still a revenge factor for the Seahawks? If they beat the Patriots on Sunday will that somehow gain late satisfaction for their loss in Arizona to cap the 2014 season?

Yes and no.

No, it doesn’t matter to the players on the field or the coaches on the sideline.

Yes, it matters to the fans.

Diehard Seattle backers would relish handing the Patriots a loss in the big game. Win their first Super Bowl since that ill-advised pass from Russell Wilson to defensive back Malcolm Butler.

Revenge for the fans can be as sweet as it is for the players.