 CenturyLink Field (now Lumen Field), the site of the game, in 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | January 19, 2014, 3:42 PMPST | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Stadium | CenturyLink Field Seattle, Washington | ||||||||||||||||||
| Favorite | Seahawks by 4[1] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | Gene Steratore | ||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 68,454 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TV in the United States | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | Fox | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Joe Buck,Troy Aikman,Pam Oliver, andErin Andrews | ||||||||||||||||||
The Tip, sometimes referred to as theImmaculate Deflection, was a play in the2013 NFC Championship Game in theNational Football League (NFL) between the division rivals of the #5 seededSan Francisco 49ers and the #1 seededSeattle Seahawks. The game was played in CenturyLink Field (now known asLumen Field) inSeattle, Washington and, being the NFC Championship Game, was televised nationally onFox.
With the score 23–17 in favor of the Seahawks, the 49ers had driven the ball all the way to the Seahawks' 18 yard line. With 30 seconds left in regulation, 49ers quarterbackColin Kaepernick threw a pass toMichael Crabtree in the right corner of the endzone. Before Crabtree could catch the ball, cornerbackRichard Sherman deflected the ball directly into linebackerMalcolm Smith's hands for an interception, all but sealing the Seahawks victory. With the win, the Seahawks advanced to just their secondSuper Bowl appearance in franchise history, in which they defeated theDenver Broncos 43–8 for their first Super Bowl win.[2] The Tip is often considered one of the biggest moments in Seattle Seahawks history.[3]
Until the fourth quarter, the Seahawks had not had a lead the entire game. That changed when Seahawks quarterbackRussell Wilson threw a 35-yard touchdown pass toJermaine Kearse with 13:44 left in the game, making the score 20–17. After a 47-yard field goal bySteven Hauschka with 3:37 left, the lead increased to 23–17.
The 49ers moved the ball quickly to the 18 yard line, needing a touchdown and subsequent extra point to retake the lead. With 30 seconds remaining, 49ers quarterbackColin Kaepernick avoided mounting pressure from defensive endCliff Avril, launching a pass toMichael Crabtree in the right side of the endzone. Before Crabtree could catch the ball, cornerbackRichard Sherman leaped into the air and tipped the ball. It promptly landed into the hands of linebackerMalcolm Smith, who took a knee for a Seahawkstouchback with 22 seconds left in the game.[4]
After a brief celebration, Sherman ran over to Crabtree and offered his hand for a handshake, but Crabtree shoved Sherman's facemask.[5][6] Sherman then directed a choke sign at Crabtree, which earned him anunsportsmanlike conduct flag. Since there was still 22 seconds left, the game continued. Russell Wilsonknelt three times, causing the 49ers to burn their last two timeouts, and the game was over.
The following is Sherman's now-famous post-game interview withErin Andrews:
Andrews: "Joe, thank you so much. Richard, let me ask you; The final play, take me through it."
Sherman: "Well, I'm the best corner in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you gon' get! Don't youever talk about me!"
Andrews: "Who was talking about you?"
Sherman: "Crabtree! Don't you open your mouth about the best! Or, y'know, I'm gonna shut it for you real quick!L.O.B.!"
Andrews: "Alright, before--"[Sherman marches away, offscreen] "AndJoe, back over to you!"[7][6]
Many considered Sherman's outburst as immature, rude, and disrespectful toward Crabtree and Andrews.[8][9] Sherman later said in aCNN interview "You know, I don't mean to attack [Crabtree]. And that was immature and I probably shouldn't have done that. I regret doing that."[10]
The play was later dubbed the Immaculate Deflection as a tribute to theImmaculate Reception. The plays were somewhat similar: in both plays, the pass was deflected into a teammate's hand. However, the Immaculate Deflection resulted in an interception, whereas with the Immaculate Reception, it was caught by the offense and run in for a touchdown.
The Seahawks went on to blow out theDenver Broncos 43–8 inSuper Bowl XLVIII two weeks later, winning their firstLombardi Trophy in team history.[11] The 49ers, however, did not return to the playoffs until2019, also failing to climb above the .500 mark in terms of their win–loss record in each of the following seasons until 2019. Some credit Sherman's tip with the steady decline of the 49ers.[12] Coincidentally, Sherman joined the 49ers in 2018.
Six days after the Championship game, Sherman was fined $7,875 for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty toward Crabtree.[13]
In2018 in a week 13 matchup between the 49ers and the Seahawks, the Seahawks reenacted Sherman's tip after a 1st quarter touchdown pass.Doug Baldwin played the role of Sherman, tipping the ball toDavid Moore, who played the role of Malcolm Smith.Jaron Brown played Kaepernick, andTyler Lockett played Crabtree. Since both Sherman and Smith were currently on the 49ers, it was unsure if it was a tribute to Sherman, or a mockery,[14][15] especially after Sherman called the Seahawks a middle of the road team prior to the game.[16] The Seahawks won the game 43-16 and officially eliminated the 49ers fromplayoff contention.[17] The 49ers, however, exacted revenge by defeating the Seahawks, two weeks later 26-23 in overtime.[18]
Hall of Fame‡