Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Riq Woolen found himself at the center of a tense moment during the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, a contest that would determine the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl appearance. Although the Seahawks emerged victorious with a final score of 31-27, Woolen’s ill-timed taunting penalty momentarily threatened to undermine their efforts late in the third quarter.
With Seattle leading 31-20, Woolen successfully broken up a third-and-12 pass intended for Rams receiver Puka Nacua. However, rather than retreating, Woolen engaged in persistent verbal exchanges with the Rams’ bench. Despite repeated instructions from game officials to disengage and return to his sideline, Woolen continued interacting, resulting in a taunting penalty that provided Los Angeles a fresh set of downs.
On the following play, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Woolen again, and Nacua capitalized by securing a 34-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. Reflecting on the sequence, Woolen conceded, "Even though I made a great play, I wasn’t great for my team, and I’ve got to be better with that and celebrate with the team. The next play, they scored a touchdown, and that wouldn’t have happened if I had just celebrated with the team." This penalty was Woolen’s third taunt-related infraction of the season.
The Seahawks’ sideline responded to the penalty with visible frustration, requiring several moments for players to compose themselves. Linebacker Ernest Jones disclosed that it took him and his teammates a brief period to regain their focus.
Following the penalty, the Rams executed their longest drive in the game, an extended 14-play, 84-yard advance lasting over seven minutes. They mounted a serious threat, reaching a second-and-four at Seattle’s six-yard line. Nevertheless, the Seahawks' defense rose to the occasion, forcing two incompletions from Stafford and ultimately generating a turnover on downs.
Defensive lineman Byron Murphy II summed up the defensive unit’s mindset: "We just told each other you’ve got to keep going, keep playing. We have Riq’s back no matter what. No matter if it’s a positive or negative thing, you’ve just got to keep going." The intensity of the moment was underscored when Rams coach Sean McVay opted to attempt a fourth-and-four conversion near the goal line. However, Seahawks defensive back Devon Witherspoon disrupted Stafford’s pass in the end zone, clinching the win as the stadium erupted in celebration.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald recognized Woolen’s mistake as an emotional lapse but praised the team’s ability to rally and support him post-penalty. "He just made an emotional decision and we got to pick him up. That’s not the time to point fingers or get upset. You’ve got to play the next play and rebound. Riq came back and played well the rest of the game. So I mean, it literally is like ‘12 As One’. Just keep picking each other up," Macdonald explained.
Integral to restoring team cohesion was safety Julian Love, who described himself as the "glue guy" on defense. He acknowledged the penalty was a "poor decision" but emphasized the importance of maintaining support rather than reprimanding Woolen harshly during such a critical juncture. Love stated, "I said ‘don’t do that again, obviously. But I love you, and you’re gonna make plays for us.’ That’s how we approach what’s next." His leadership was a pivotal factor in maintaining the defensive unit’s focus and poise through the emotional roller coaster of the final moments.