Seahawks' Shaun Alexander: Steelers Absolutely Lose 99 Out Of 100 Times In 2005 Super Bowl

The Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL back in 2006. While the Steelers celebrated their fifth Super Bowl triumph, the Seahawks were left grappling with a sense of injustice, with former running back Shaun Alexander notably vocal about the outcome. Some even went on to call the Steelers' Super Bowl XL victory a rigged fix. 

Steelers Defeat Seahawks 21-10 In Super Bowl XL

Reflecting on the events of Super Bowl XL, Alexander recently shared his insights on the Big Al & JoJo podcast aired on KOA Sports Radio. He candidly expressed his belief that, despite the Steelers' victory, the Seahawks were the superior team. 

"If we had played the Steelers 100 times, we probably would've lost one. And that night, it was the one. We knew they wouldn't be able to play with us if we did three things. Don't turn the ball over, don't have any offensive penalties, and don't let them have any big plays. And if you go in reverse order, 50-yard reverse pass for a touchdown, 80-yard run in the beginning of the third quarter. We knew they wouldn't be able to drive.”

According to Alexander, the Seahawks' downfall in Super Bowl XL stemmed from missed opportunities and costly errors. He outlined three key directives for his team: avoid turnovers, minimize offensive penalties, and prevent big plays, which the Seahawks fell victim to all.

However, the Steelers managed to capitalize on critical moments, including an electrifying 75-yard rushing touchdown by Willie Parker, setting a Super Bowl record.

"And then we threw an interception down there in the fourth quarter right before we were going to drive in and take the lead. And we had more penalties in that game than we had all other games that year."

Acknowledging the controversial role of referees in the game, Alexander admitted that the Steelers benefited from certain calls. Despite this, he refused to use officiating as an excuse for the Seahawks' defeat. 

"On one hand, you want to be like, 'Aw, come on refs.' But on the other hand, we played through the refs and we still had a shot, and we didn't bring it home. That was the pain of that game. Here it is 15 years later, you still remember it."

Even after 15 years, the pain of Super Bowl XL remains palpable for Alexander and Seahawks fans alike. He emphasized that while the Steelers made history on that day, the Seahawks' belief in their superiority persists. Alexander firmly believes that in a rematch scenario, the outcome would favor the Seahawks decisively. 

Alexander exudes confidence when discussing the potential outcome of a rematch between the Seahawks and the Steelers. Yet, in the NFL, both teams reached the Super Bowl for valid reasons, showcasing the league's intense competition. While it's common to overcome a previous loss in the NFL, the Steelers emerged victorious on that particular day, outperforming the Seahawks. 

Despite the Steelers' win, controversy surrounding the officiating during Super Bowl XL persists, with some football enthusiasts still entertaining the notion that the game was rigged. 

It's fair to acknowledge that the Steelers did receive favorable calls in that game, but it's important to note that the Seahawks also benefitted from officiating decisions. Officiating is a challenging aspect of sports, and while fans understandably desire accuracy, human error is inevitable. Some may argue that the Steelers gained an advantage from the referees' decisions on that particular day.

Super Bowl XL serves as a poignant reminder of the fine margins that define sporting glory. While the Steelers etched their names in history, the Seahawks were left grappling with what-ifs and lingering bitterness. Alexander's reflections offer a candid glimpse into the complexities of victory and defeat in the NFL's grandest stage.

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