Matt Hasselbeck Addresses Controversial Super Bowl XL Calls In Loss To Steelers: "We Were The Best Team"

The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 at Ford Field in Detroit. They were viewed as a Wild Card team that few expected to make a deep playoff run, while the Seahawks were widely regarded as one of the best teams in the league that season. Despite their dominant regular season, Seattle couldn’t overcome Pittsburgh on Super Bowl Sunday, and the underdog Steelers capitalized on their opportunities to secure the victory.

Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, struggled throughout much of the game. He completed just 9 of 21 passes, threw zero touchdowns, and was picked off twice. However, he added seven carries for 25 rushing yards and one touchdown, though that score became one of the most controversial moments of the game. Many argued that Roethlisberger did not actually break the goal line, sparking debate that still lingers more than a decade later. These disputed calls became a central point of discussion whenever Super Bowl XL is brought up.

Now, as Super Bowl LX features the Seahawks facing the New England Patriots, former Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck shared his thoughts on those controversial calls during that 2006 game. Appearing on Wake Up Barstool Thursday, Hasselbeck reflected on the officiating and the outcome, offering a perspective that balances frustration with respect for the human side of refereeing. His comments serve as a reminder of how pivotal moments in a single game can leave a lasting mark on players, fans, and the history of the sport.

"Referees are human, too," Hasselbeck said when asked about the perceived controversial calls made during that game. "Just like me as a quarterback, sometimes I have great days, sometimes I have bad days. I've never been one to like really blame officials or you know that kind of thing. I do not think it is the right thing to do as an athlete."

Hasselbeck was very clear that he doesn’t blame the referees for what went wrong that day for the Seahawks. 

The Steelers came out firing and made more explosive plays, and Hasselbeck even pointed out the key trick play where receiver Antwaan Randle El threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, the Super Bowl MVP of that game. Hasselbeck wanted to highlight how important that play was and how it helped Pittsburgh secure the win.

"We were the best team in football that year during the regular season and maybe through part of the playoffs," Hasselbeck said. "That day, the Steelers actually played better than us. I mean I mentioned that trick play. That trick play mattered. We didn’t play our best that day and I think the lesson applies to this game… the Steelers were a Wild Card team and they just beat us on Super Bowl Sunday. That is all you got to do. Both teams are essentially 0-0 and whoever wins on Super Bowl Sunday… that is it."

Steelers Fans Will Respect Matt Hasselbeck’s Honest Take On Super Bowl XL

Steelers fans will likely respect hearing Hasselbeck’s honest thoughts all these years later. It’s fair to say the referees weren’t perfect, but blaming them for the loss or trying to take a Super Bowl away from the Steelers would be silly. 

That said, referee Bill Leavy later admitted to making some mistakes in the game. When asked if the Seahawks would have beaten Pittsburgh in a rematch, Hasselbeck was humble, but made it clear that, of course, he believes they would have.

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