Derick Corridor’s strip-sack opens the best way to Seahawks’ second title

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Seahawks had throttled the New England Patriots all recreation however nonetheless solely managed a 12-0 lead when Derick Corridor made the play that opened the best way for Seattle to win its second Tremendous Bowl.

The linebacker sacked Drake Maye within the third quarter and stripped the ball for a fumble that was recovered by Byron Murphy II. 5 performs later, Seattle reached the top zone for the primary time on a 16-yard landing catch by A.J. Barner on the best way to a 29-13 victory Sunday.

It was the primary turnover of the sport and primarily helped Seattle put the sport away. Corridor completed with two sacks after getting solely two all season.

“It’s been somewhat little bit of a loopy 12 months for me,” Corridor stated. “Clearly, the pressures and the hits have been there, however no sacks, and man, what a extra rewarding time to be blessed and have alternatives there to exit on this recreation and assist lead this workforce to success tonight.”

For the 24-year-old Corridor, to even play in his first Tremendous Bowl — not to mention make it to the NFL — was a powerful accomplishment in its personal proper. Corridor was born 4 months untimely in Gulfport, Mississippi, and was pronounced lifeless at beginning and not using a heartbeat earlier than being resuscitated.

Medical doctors believed Corridor would doubtless be in a everlasting vegetative state and suggested his mom, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, to permit life assist to be discontinued. However Gooden-Crandle refused, and Corridor survived 5 months in an intensive care unit, frequent hospitalizations and intense bronchial asthma all through his childhood.

He started taking part in flag soccer at 4 years previous, and after a standout profession at Gulfport Excessive Faculty was a star defensive finish at Auburn.

“I began taking part in the sport simply to have the ability to get my lung capability up. Simply to have the ability to run round somewhat bit,” Corridor stated. “I fell in love with the sport. It allowed me to be a standard child.”

He was chosen by the Seahawks within the second spherical of the 2023 NFL draft and shortly entrenched himself as a key cog in Seattle’s defence. Lower than three years after he was drafted, Corridor was considered one of a variety of standout defenders for the Seahawks as they dismantled the Patriots.

Shortly after the win, Gooden-Crandle tapped Corridor on the shoulder so they might hug. The waterworks got here quickly after as each broke down and shed tears of pleasure.

“Mother doesn’t miss a recreation,” Corridor stated. “From the time I began taking part in soccer at 4 to tonight, my mother has been at each single recreation.”

All season, it wasn’t simply Gooden-Crandle that confirmed up at Seahawks video games; it was Seattle’s whole “Darkish Aspect” defence that did so.

Through the common season, no protection allowed fewer factors per recreation (17.2) than the Seahawks. It was a unit that featured a trio of gamers — cornerback Devon Witherspoon, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and defensive lineman Leonard Williams — that have been chosen to The Related Press 2025 NFL All-Professional second workforce.

Jones, who led the Seahawks with 11 tackles on Sunday, had 5 interceptions, which was tied for second-most within the NFL. Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu tied for the workforce lead with seven sacks within the common season, after which intercepted Maye earlier than returning it 45 yards for a pick-6 to place the Tremendous Bowl out of attain.

Nevertheless it was Corridor who set in movement the Seahawks’ victory. It would not have been attainable with many years of perseverance, which is not misplaced on teammates corresponding to defensive lineman Byron Murphy II.

“Hell of a participant, hell of a man, man, been by a lot,” Murphy stated. “That’s a decided dude, man. I like him to loss of life — I like him to loss of life.”