Seahawks applaud Leavy's admittance
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The Seattle Seahawks say they appreciate official Bill Leavy admitting he made two bad calls in their Super Bowl loss - and now they're ready to move on.
Nine players remain from the team's lone Super Bowl appearance in 2006, including quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He was whistled for a low block on what appeared to be a legal tackle on an interception return in the fourth quarter of the loss to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers used the better field position from the penalty on Hasselbeck to score the clinching touchdown in Pittsburgh's 21-10 victory.
"It's a game. It's not a perfect science," Hasselbeck said Saturday, after Leavy again worked at the Seahawks' training camp practice. "There's a lot of human involvement there. I've played some games that I remember because I feel I did a good job and I remember some other games where I have regrets. That goes for any sport, any player. I'm sure coaching is no different. And I'm sure officiating is the same way."
Leavy and his crew have been at Seahawks camp the past several days as part of the NFL's summer tour of officials informing teams of new rules and interpretations.
Leavy told Seattle-area media Friday night that he "kicked two calls in the fourth quarter and I impacted the game." He said he will "go to my grave wishing I'd been better."
He also spoke to Seahawks players at a team meeting Friday with a similar message.
"I had a word with him and told him I really appreciated it," said defensive tackle Craig Terrill, a backup on that Super Bowl team. "I certainly don't have any hard feelings against him. There were plenty of things we did in that game that kept us from winning. He can't take responsibility for the mistakes we made, but I appreciated it."
Notes: WR Isaiah Stanback tore his Achilles' tendon during drills in Saturday afternoon's practice, thus ending a hometown comeback bid this season by the former University of Washington quarterback. Stanback was waived/injured on Sunday. WR Mike Hass was re-signed in Stanback's place. ... LB Aaron Curry sat out of the team's scrimmage at Husky Stadium on Sunday afternoon. He's been sidelined eight straight days. ... QB Matt Hasselbeck also sat the scrimmage portion of the practice after getting some early reps. Coach Pete Carroll said Hasselbeck had a sore hamstring but will be back at practice Tuesday after a day off Monday. ... Others sitting out were DE Lawrence Jackson (hamstring), LB Lofa Tatupu (hamstring), TE John Carlson (oblique), WR Marcus Maxwell (unspecified) and LB Joe Pawelek (unspecified) also did not participate. ... The scrimmage lasted 65 plays with QB Charlie Whitehurst running the first-team offense and QB J.P. Losman working with the second team.