COLUMN: A rare shot at redemption
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 1 week AGO
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp speaks during the NFL Super Bowl Opening Night, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. ahead of the Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
AP PHOTO/BRYNN ANDERSON
This might be the most exciting Super Bowl matchup we have seen in a while. The Seattle Seahawks are back in the championship game for the first time since their heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in 2015.
I was in middle school – yikes.
This year they head to Levi Stadium to face off against ... the Patriots. After I got past my PTSD from them dominating my teens, I realized what a unique opportunity the Seahawks have at redemption.
If my diehard fans can close their eyes and ears for a moment: When these two teams met 11 years ago, the Seahawks were on the verge of scoring a potentially game-winning touchdown against the Patriots. They were at the goal line with under a minute left and all they had to do was hand the ball off to Marshawn ‘Beast Mode’ Lynch.
Simple right?
Nope, the Seahawks opted to pass the ball on 2nd and goal but it was intercepted by Malcolm Butler in the final seconds of the game. I’m not from Washington, but I’m not oblivious that this moment has probably haunted this franchise and fanbase since.
Fast forward to this Sunday, and the Seahawks have one of the rarest shots at redemption. I don’t know what the odds of getting a rematch with a team you lost to in the Super Bowl are, but they have to be slim.
It’s happened. My dearly beloved Cincinnati Bengals have been to the big dance on three occasions. Thankfully, one of them was in my lifetime. The first two came against the San Francisco 49ers, and they lost both times.
The difference in this case is there is no Joe Montana or Tom Brady standing in Seattle’s way. The Seahawks come into this game touted by mainstream pundits as the most well-rounded team in the NFL.
Yes, the teams are very different. Coaches have changed, quarterbacks have moved on, legendary defenses have faded away.
However, if I am any Seahawks fan, to win your first Super Bowl since then against the same franchise has to be the perfect full circle moment.
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
From Maverick to Warrior
Paige Richardson rises to first year challenges
MOSES LAKE — When former Moses Lake Maverick Paige Richardson first arrived at Walla Walla Community College, she did not anticipate getting to play as much softball as she did in her freshman season, she said. “I didn't know what to expect just because it's a whole different world once you step into college softball compared to high school softball,” Richardson said. “I was used to playing, pitching a lot for the Mavericks. My coach pretty much depended on two of us pitchers, and it just worked out that way, and we worked really well as a pair, and we were able to back each other up in certain scenarios, so I wasn't expecting it, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did.”
MLCA athletics enters new era under Todd Gregory
MOSES LAKE — Todd Gregory was named the new Athletic Director at Moses Lake Christian Academy earlier this summer. As he heads into his first year in the role, things are already expected to look different this school year. For instance, the Lions will not have a football team this season. “We did not renew our contract with Covenant (Christian School), so we lost some athletes this year,” Gregory said. “I think in the long run we'll end up getting some of those families that want to do athletics but stay in the Christian school atmosphere. I'm hoping that happens and we're able to get football going again.”
Moses Lake Roundup returns to Grant County Fair
MOSES LAKE — The 83rd Moses Lake Roundup is just over a week away from kicking off at the Grant County Fairgrounds Aug. 20-22. However, community members don’t have to wait until the 20th for the fun to start, as the demo derby will take place Aug. 18-19.