Malcolm Smith came out of nowhere to make the play of the game. (USATSI)
Malcolm Smith came out of nowhere to make the play of the game. (USATSI)

Patriots CB Malcolm Smith, who made the game-saving interception

"I made a play to help my team win. I've worked so hard in practice and I just wanted to play so bad and help my team out. I got out there and did exactly what I needed to do to help my team win. ...

"I was fired up ready. I was ready to play. ... I was on the sidelines waiting to get in and I was ready. I prepared hard this weekend. ...

"I knew they were going to throw it," Butler said when asked about the Seahawks' decision to not give the ball to Marshawn Lynch late in the game. "Our defensive coordinator is real smart and with a goal line, three-cornerback formation we knew they were going to throw the ball."

In related news, Lynch was also asked about it:

To recap: Not only did Lynch talk to the media, he was humble. Still, it's a fair question, right?

Seahawks CB Richard Sherman

"I'm a little surprised," Sherman said about Lynch not getting the ball in that situation. "It was an unfortunate play. Their guy made a heck of a play and that's all you can ask for."

When asked if he would have gone to Lynch, Sherman added: "What I would have done is irrelevant at this time.We went with that play. We trusted our quarterback, and unfortunately they made a play."

The Donald

Of course, Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't caught off guard by the play call.

“They’re goal-line plays, Belichick said afterwards. That didn’t surprise me. They do a lot of things down there. We had to be ready for everything."

And they were.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll explains what happened

"It's really what happened on this one sequence (on the final drive) that we would have won the game. We have everything in mind, how we're going to do it. We're going to leave them no time, and we had our plays to do it.

"We sent in our personnel, they sent in goal line (and) it's not the right mathcup for us to run the football. Sso on second down, we throw the ball really to kind of waste that play. If we score, we do. If we don't, then we'll run it on third and fourth down. Really, with no second thoughts or no hesitation in that at all.

"And unfortunately, with  the play that we tried to execute, the guy makes a great play and jumps in front of the route and makes an incredible play that nobody would ever think he could do. And unfortunately, that changes the whole outcome."

When asked if it made more sense to go with Lynch there, Carroll said, "Yeah, you can ask that all you want. I just told you what happened. We were going to run the ball in tot win the game but not on that down. That was it."

Rob Gronkowski is probably going to do some dancing tonight. (USATSI)
Rob Gronkowski is probably going to do some dancing tonight. (USATSI)

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, who had 6 catches for 68 yards and 1 TD

"This is an unbelievable feeling. We played such a great team game together. This is the most amazing feeling ever. ... This is indescribable. .. This is awesome. I've got to go. I've got to celebrate."

Patriots WR Danny Amendola, who had 5 receptions for 48 yards and 1 TD

"All the work we've put in all year, all the adversity, dealing with everything that we have -- it's paying off and it's the best feeling in the world. ... Hard work pays off. All the work pays off."

Patriots QB Tom Brady, Super Bowl XLIX MVP

Yep, he was asked whether he thought Lynch should have gotten the ball: "They had a lot of options, so you know, that was their choice. Russell (Wilson) played a phenomenal game. Marshawn played unbelievable. We lost the turnover battle 2-0 and won, and that's pretty hard to do. I'm glad we did."

On going 8 for 8 on what turned out to be the game-winning drive: "I didn't think about that. A lot of guys ... made great catches. It's a team effort."

On the standout performances of Julian Edelman, Shane Vereen and Amendola: "We needed them because without those guys, we don't win. They stepped up. They did it.  ... It was hot. It was a long game. ...

"But we needed a great play at the end and we got it (from Butler). Offensively, a lot of guys made huge, huge plays. Defensively, a lot of those guys made huge plays. It's a great team. (Seattle's) got a great offense, well-coached, great defense -- that's why they're here and it took a lot to beat them." 

Patriots coach Bill Belichick

"...The last time I won (a Super Bowl) and got a Gatorade(d), my dad was here. I was certainly thinking about him tonight, and I'm sure he was watching. I hope my mom is watching too so, 'Hi Mom.'"