Less than 16 hours later, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was still stunned by the outcome while defending the decision to call a pass from the one-yard line in the Super Bowl's closing seconds, a choice that will long be debated.
So close to another celebration. So close to becoming the next NFL dynasty.
"The shock of disappointment that this game gets away from us and goes another way right at the finish line," a sombre Carroll said Monday, before Seattle returned to the Pacific Northwest after the 28-24 loss to New England. "It's something that we have to deal with that in the long run of it will make us stronger, and we'll be able to put it in some kind of perspective. It's pretty hard right now."
Carroll also defended offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell, who was widely criticized for calling a pass with Marshawn Lynch in the Seattle backfield.