seattle seahawks Defensive back Tariq Woolen was fined $17,398 for a taunting penalty during the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.

Woolen’s penalty came at a critical moment with less than three minutes left in the third quarter. Seattle looks set to get chance after Seahawks hold off Rams on third down with 11-point lead game Out of reach.

But Woolen backed away after the play with his hands behind his back, yelling at the Rams bench.

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So instead of forcing Seattle’s offense, the penalty gave the Rams an automatic first down. Los Angeles then scored just one goal to cut the lead to one possession.

Woolen became the focus of huge criticism on social media after he yelled at his teammates on the sideline after the Rams’ touchdown.

Woolen took to social media after the game to address the situation and the backlash he faced, appearing to apologize in the form of a meme while also praising his connection with teammates during the sideline altercation.

SUPER BOWL LX: What to know about the game

“No more penalties for taunting,” he wrote in one post.

“No pressure. Us brothers, we are all striving for greatness and we are on the same mission,” he wrote in another post, responding to a user who accused him of being “pressured.”

Although Woolen’s free throws made the game closer than it was in the fourth quarter, Seattle’s defense held on to seal a 31-27 victory and advance to the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Ngiba (right) celebrates with teammates after a first-half touchdown during a divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 17, 2026 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

The Seahawks put the game away with a fourth-down stop with less than five minutes remaining. Seattle ultimately won the NFC Championship as time ran out. pukanacua A 21-yard scramble attempt set the Rams up for a Hail Mary attempt.

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Seattle Seahawks’ Riq Woolen reacts after winning an NFL divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

This year’s Super Bowl is a repeat of the Seahawks’ last Super Bowl appearance in 2015. Their opponents are new england patriots February 8 in Santa Clara, California. The last Super Bowl between these two teams was considered the best ever. New England seals victory with Malcolm Butler’s interception in final seconds Russell Wilson at the goal line.

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