Eye On the Hawks - #SB49 Seahawks vs Patriots
Seattle Seahawks team photographer Rod Mar continues his Eye On the Hawks series bringing you behind the scenes during #SB49 against the New England Patriots.
It's 12:45pm on game day and Legion of Boom charter members Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas took their customary seats at the back of one of the team's buses for the ride from the hotel to University of Phoenix Stadium for Super Bowl XLIX.
Placekicker Steven Hauschka waves to Seahawks fans as he steps off the bus upon arrival at the stadium for Super Bowl XLIX.
Nattily attired safety Kam Chancellor salutes fans as he makes his way to the locker room before the game.
Earl Thomas heads for the locker room with his game face already fully in place for the Super Bowl.
Quarterbacks coach Carl Smith walks with Russell Wilson on their way back to the locker room after some early throws in pregame. Behind them is defensive lineman Michael Bennett, who arrived on the second wave of Seahawks buses.
At 2:42pm in the Seahawks locker room, Jeremy Lane hydrates while loosening up on a stationary bike as players begin getting dressed for the game.
Earl Thomas applies a single strip across his nose and under his eyes as he continues his pregame preparation.
Seahawks long snapper Clint Gresham relaxes and mentally prepares as pregame warmups near.
Out near the field, Seahawks fans were already lining the first rows to watch pregame.
Fans lined the first rows nearest the field to cheer on the Seahawks as they came out for pregame warmups.
Russell Wilson speaks to the quarterbacks group including B.J. Daniels and Tarvaris Jackson, before taking the field for warmups.
Moments later, the defensive backs including Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor made their way from the locker room to the field.
Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor lead the Legion of Boom in their traditional pregame huddle right before taking the field for warmups.
Media photographers were allowed near midfield during warmups and made the most of their proximity to running back Marshawn Lynch.
Special teams coach Brian Schneider talks with kick returner and receiver Doug Baldwin during the final moments of pregame warmups.
The Seahawks come together in their locker room before taking the field for Super Bowl XLIX.
Quarterback Russell Wilson stares straight ahead as the team waits for its cue to take the field during pregame introductions.
Quarterback Russell Wilson is among the first of the Seahawks to take the field during pregame introductions.
The Sea Gals cheered on the sidelines during game day, but also made numerous appearances throughout Super Bowl week at various events around the Phoenix area.
Head coach Pete Carroll waves to family members after taking the field with his team during pregame ceremonies.
Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter John Legend started the pregame festivities with his stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful".
The Seahawks stood at attention as Broadway star Idina Menzel sang the "Star Spangled Banner" before the game.
The Sea Gals stand at attention during the singing of the National Anthem.
Head referee Bill Vinovich flips the coin for Super Bowl XLIX as captains and honorary captains for both teams convened at midfield.
The Seahawks gathered as a team for their final huddle before kickoff and captain Kam Chancellor fired his teammates up.
Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane intercepted a Tom Brady pass during the first quarter and thwarted a scoring drive in the red zone, but significantly injured his arm and would not return.
Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse leaps high and battles New England's Logan Ryan for a pass up the right side of the field in the second quarter.
Seattle's Chris Matthews, who was listed on the team's practice squad until December, made his mark on Super Bowl XLIX with a number of spectacular catches including this 44-yard catch in the second quarter which also marked his first catch in the N.F.L. and set up the Seahawks first touchdown.
Quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles and escapes the pocket to the left,
Chris Matthews leaps high and catches the Seahawks second touchdown of the game but the first in his N.F.L. career to tie the game at 14-14 just before halftime.
The halftime show featured singer Katy Perry and also a very acrobatic dancer flying behind her.
Pete Carroll encourages his players as they loosen up at the end of the extended halftime. Halftime is only 12 minutes long for all games except the Super Bowl, which is nearly 20 minutes longer because of the extensive halftime show.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner intercepts Tom Brady in the third quarter.
Running back Marshawn Lynch rumbles into the open field during the third quarter. Lynch ran for 102 yards during the game.
Earl Thomas is fired up after watching teammate Marshawn Lynch gain 14 yards on a run in the third quarter.
Jermaine Kearse nearly comes up with this catch on a deep route which was broken up at the last minute.
Safety Kam Chancellor levels Patriots receiver Julian Edelman on a crossing route in the second half.
After New England regained the lead in the fourth quarter, Seattle began a furious rally ignited with a 31-yard reception by Marshawn Lynch to near midfield at the two-minute warning.
When Jermaine Kearse made this falling, bobbling, circus catch for a 33-yard gain to the New England five yard line, Seattle was in position to possibly take the lead.
Seattle's hopes ended on when Russell Wilson's pass intended for Ricardo Lockette was intercepted at the one-yard line by the Patriots.
Seattle's sideline including head coach Pete Carroll reflects the shock after the interception at the goal line prevented the Seahawks from winning their second Super Bowl in a row.
Offensive guard J.R. Sneezy reacts in the Seahawks bench area as the clock ticks down.
Receiver Jermaine Kearse walks off the field at University of Phoenix Stadium after the game.
In the Seahawks locker room, defensive end Michael Bennett spoke to the team after the game.
Seahawks players, coaches and staff huddle for the last time of a season which saw them become the first team to return to the Super Bowl after winning it in over a decade.
Though the mood was understandably subdued, a postgame event featured separate performances by Snoop Dogg and Drake that entertained family and friends.
