“Run the ball, don’t ask questions!” These words, simple yet packed with meaning, came from none other than Marshawn Lynch, the Seattle Seahawks legend who had been at the center of one of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history. His message wasn’t just a piece of advice, it was a powerful reminder to the team and the coaching staff about the infamous decision made in Super Bowl XLIX.

In that moment, with the Seahawks just yards away from a game-winning touchdown, the decision to throw the ball instead of handing it to Lynch for a run became one of the most talked-about plays in NFL history. The result was a heartbreaking interception by the New England Patriots, sealing Seattle’s fate and preventing them from claiming back-to-back championships. Lynch’s words, therefore, weren’t just an echo from the past, but a clarion call to ensure that history didn’t repeat itself.
Lynch, with his unparalleled ability to break tackles and run through defensive lines, was a fan favorite for a reason. His no-nonsense style of play had been a staple of the Seahawks’ offense for years, and he had been at the heart of their Super Bowl XLVIII victory, where his dominant performance had powered the team to their first-ever championship. But Super Bowl XLIX remained a bitter memory for many, particularly Lynch, who had been left standing on the sideline as a crucial play unfolded.
Despite his immense talents, the decision to pass the ball instead of giving him the chance to run it in from the one-yard line is one that still haunts many. For Lynch, “Run the ball, don’t ask questions” was a direct message to the coaching staff, a call to trust in what had worked before and not overthink things. It was a reminder to stick to the fundamentals, to lean on the strengths that had made the Seahawks a championship contender in the first place.
His words quickly sparked a firestorm of discussion. Fans, analysts, and even former players weighed in on the statement, with many agreeing that Lynch’s frustration was justified. For Seahawks fans, the phrase was a rallying cry, a way to process the pain of that loss and channel it into something positive as they prepared for a new challenge. Seattle was getting another chance—this time in Super Bowl LX, where they were set to face the New England Patriots again, but this time with a new roster, a new identity, and the possibility of redemption.
However, the ghosts of Super Bowl XLIX were far from gone. As much as Seattle had moved on in terms of their roster, the weight of that loss still hung in the air, and Lynch’s message was a stark reminder of what could have been and what still needed to be done.

Lynch’s words were not just about his own personal frustration but about the philosophy that had driven the success of the Seahawks for years. The foundation of the team had been built around a strong defense and a power running game led by Lynch himself. It was a formula that had taken them to the top of the NFC and had made them one of the most formidable teams in the league. But in Super Bowl XLIX, that formula had been abandoned in favor of a more aggressive, pass-heavy approach at a critical moment.
Lynch’s message was a call to return to what had worked in the past, to embrace the team’s identity, and not get lost in the glamour of passing plays and trickery. The reminder to “run the ball” was as much about trusting the team’s core strengths as it was about personal redemption for Lynch.
The impact of Lynch’s words was felt almost immediately. It didn’t take long for the media to pick up on his message, and soon, it became a point of intense discussion leading up to the big game. The Seahawks had been a dominant force in the NFC, but they had been through ups and downs in recent years. Their last appearance in the Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVIII, had been a dominant victory, but Super Bowl XLIX had left a lingering shadow over the franchise.
While the team had moved on in many ways, Lynch’s words were a reminder that some wounds take time to heal. Seattle had built a new identity in the years that followed, but the core of the team—the defense and the running game—still held the keys to their success. Lynch’s message was not just a rallying cry for the past, but a blueprint for how they could overcome the Patriots again in Super Bowl LX.
On the other side, the New England Patriots were preparing for the rematch with a sense of determination and confidence. They were the defending champions, having overcome many of the NFL’s best teams on their path to yet another Super Bowl appearance. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who had orchestrated the last-minute heroics in Super Bowl XLIX, was focused on securing his seventh championship ring, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. But as much as the Patriots were focused on their own game plan, they knew that the Seahawks were not to be taken lightly.

The Patriots had seen what Seattle could do when they were firing on all cylinders, and they knew the game would not be easy. For them, the key was to prevent the Seahawks from returning to their old formula—the power running game that had been so effective in the past.
As the days leading up to the Super Bowl wore on, the tension continued to mount. The message from Lynch had become a part of the narrative surrounding the game. In the lead-up to Super Bowl LX, both teams were feeling the weight of history. For Seattle, this was a chance to avenge their loss from Super Bowl XLIX, to prove that they could still dominate the league and rewrite the script that had haunted them for years.
For the Patriots, it was about continuing their legacy, proving that they could stay on top even as they faced one of their toughest opponents yet again. And for Lynch, his message had come full circle—it was about reclaiming a part of himself, and the Seahawks’ identity, that had been lost in that painful moment.

When the teams finally took the field at Levi’s Stadium, it was clear that the stakes had never been higher. The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable. Lynch’s words echoed in the minds of the Seahawks players and coaching staff as they lined up on the field. This was their chance to show that they had learned from the mistakes of the past and could rely on their strength, their defense, and their running game to win.
And as the game went on, it was clear that both teams were locked in a battle for the ages, with every play carrying the weight of what had come before it.
In the end, Super Bowl LX was more than just a game—it was a chance for redemption, for both teams to make their mark on history. For the Seahawks, it was a moment to finally move past Super Bowl XLIX and show that they could win on their own terms. For the Patriots, it was about proving their dominance and continuing the dynasty that had defined the last two decades. And for Marshawn Lynch, it was a reminder that sometimes the simplest advice can be the most powerful: “Run the ball, don’t ask questions.”