More than two weeks after the Seattle Seahawks lost in Super Bowl XLIX to the New England Patriots, wide receiver Doug Baldwin took the time to apologize for his controversial touchdown celebration during the big game.
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Baldwin received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty and an $11,025 fine from the NFL after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter and dropped the ball on the ground, squatted over it and appeared to simulate using the toilet.
The three-yard touchdown pass to Baldwin from quarterback Russell Wilson gave the Seahawks a 24-14 lead at the time with 4:54 remaining in the third frame.
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Baldwin apologized for the celebration on Monday, 15 days after the Super Bowl, saying regretfully that he wasn't trying to offend anyone in the most-watched game of the year.
"I do regret the fact that it cost my team 15 yards, and to the fans, ultimately I apologize to anybody I offended in any way," Baldwin said Monday night on "The Barbershop" on 710 ESPN Seattle. "It wasn't about that. I just think it was a competitive situation. So to all the 12s, all the fans, that's not what it's about. So I apologize to anyone if I offended you."
He added: "In that moment, it was just a reaction. So obviously if I could go back, I would take it back."
Baldwin also revealed that the taunt was directed at Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis.
"I spent a lot of time those two weeks prior to getting ready for that game just focused on my individual matchup with him and I put a lot into it, and in that moment, I guess you could say it was just kind of a built-up frustration I was letting out in that sequence, you know, between him and I," Baldwin said Monday night. "Obviously there was competitive stuff going on in that game, and in that moment, I just let out what I felt personally."
Baldwin also said he was upset at his lack of opportunities to measure himself against "one of the best guys in the league" in Revis and defended the controversial play calling at the end of the game by Seattle.
"We all take blame in what happened in the Super Bowl and in losses, and to put solely the blame on [offensive coordinator] Darrell Bevell is irresponsible," Baldwin said.
After Baldwin's controversial celebration, Revis and the Patriots got the last laugh, winning the Super Bowl 28-24 in what was the fourth title in franchise history.
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