The Seattle Seahawks are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since the Russell Wilson era, though cornerback Tariq Woolen nearly cost them the NFC Championship with a blunder.
After Woolen taunted the Rams in the third quarter, he was slapped with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, resulting in a fresh set of downs for Los Angeles. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford capitalized on the opportunity, as he found wide receiver Puka Nacua for a touchdown to trim Seattle’s lead from 11 to just four points.
Following Nacua’s touchdown, Woolen was seen on the broadcast seemingly having an argument with his teammates on the sidelines.
Riq Woolen getting pressed by his teammates after the taunting penalty and getting burnt for a TD
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It was understandable that some Seahawks were disappointed by Woolen’s blunder, given what was at stake. They didn’t go that far in the NFL playoffs just to get burned by his undeniably boneheaded play.
However, Seattle survived the Rams’ comeback bid and came away with a 31-27 victory at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., to book a ticket to Super Bowl XLIX.
Woolen also clarified what happened between him and his teammates.
“Wasn’t getting pressed. We brothers and we all chasing greatness we on the same mission,” the 26-year-old Woolen wrote in a post on X.
Still, the Seahawks will want better play from Woolen and the rest of their defense when they square off against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
