How Richard Sherman's reaction to Malcom Butler interception became all-time viral moment

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How Richard Sherman's reaction to Malcom Butler interception became all-time viral moment originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Super Bowl 49 is known as one of the best games in Super Bowl history, as the New England Patriots outlasted the Seattle Seahawks in a thriller.

That game is also home to one of the most iconic plays in NFL history: the Malcolm Butler interception. Butler, a little-known cornerback at the time, picked off Russell Wilson late in the fourth quarter at the goal line to seal the win.

The Butler interception had massive ripple effects across the NFL and produced several long-lasting reactions. Perhaps the biggest came from Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who was watching from the sidelines when Seattle’s season came crashing down.

Sherman’s reaction still lives on the internet today as a gif and meme. Here’s how Sherman reacted to the Butler interception.

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Richard Sherman reaction to interception​

Malcolm Butler's interception in Super Bowl 49 was one of the biggest turning points in Super Bowl history. The play immediately produced extreme reactions from both the Seahawks and the Patriots, including Tom Brady and Pete Carroll.

However, it was Richard Sherman's reaction that had a lasting impact. NBC showed Sherman watching Butler's interception nearly a minute after the play happened, as he was visibly horrified by what had just occurred.

February 1, 2015: Malcom Butler’s interception at the goal line seals a 28-24 Patriots win over the Seahawks at Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale. pic.twitter.com/UWQGE7ppBr

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) February 1, 2023

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Richard Sherman reaction gif​

Over the past decade, Sherman's reaction became a gif that would go viral on social media countless times.

My immediate reaction to the recent Richard Sherman news:

Just feels so out of character. pic.twitter.com/SJsLEw0nGj

— UrinatingTree (@UrinatingTree) July 14, 2021

Along with Sherman's reaction. It's the only way to exorcise those demons. pic.twitter.com/4EP1BaE6f1

— K-Why23 (@K_Why23) January 26, 2026

Did Richard Sherman’s sole ever re- enter his body after this? pic.twitter.com/zccb4Wphm2

— Zeke (@Old_Stoolie) January 26, 2026

Richard Sherman gotta sign with the Pats just so this gif stops being used against him pic.twitter.com/LaRNxTtvi9

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) March 9, 2018

Best Richard Sherman GIF of all time was the time he realized he lost the Super Bowl... pic.twitter.com/1PEkw4Zlii

— Matt Skraby (@MattSkraby) March 9, 2018

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What Richard Sherman has said about interception reaction​

The Seahawks, especially Sherman, didn't take losing Super Bowl 49 well. According to ESPN's Seth Wickersham, Sherman blamed Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll for the Seahawks not winning multiple Super Bowls with that group.

As for the reaction itself, Sherman hasn't said much, probably because it was such a heartbreaking moment.

"We were hurt," Sherman told Carroll on a podcast in 2023. "We were hurt."

Sherman did tell Kevin Clark that the Malcolm Butler interception is the one play he wishes turned out differently.

Hilarious interaction with Richard Sherman: We did our standard question (re-do any play of your career) and I gave him the out to NOT pick the Malcolm Butler pick, since Bobby Wagner didn't.

Sherm interrupted me to tell me it's the Malcolm Butler play.

"Gimme that play." pic.twitter.com/sG7lFqZdc1

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 15, 2026

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