Marshawn Lynch On Last Play Of The Super Bowl: 'I Was Expecting The Ball'

Marshawn Lynch has a famously contentious relationship with the media, so it's somehow fitting that his first substantial interview since the Super Bowl would take place on the other side of the world in a foreign language.

Also not surprising: Lynch said he was expecting to get the ball on Seattle's controversial last play of the game, which instead was a pass at the goal line that resulted in a game-losing interception.

The Seahawks running back granted Turkish sports network NTV Spor an interview while he's in the country for an American Football Without Barriers camp. The full 27-minute exchange was uploaded to YouTube on Sunday, and Lynch offered this take, as transcribed by ESPN:

"To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I was expecting the ball. Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it's a team sport."

He added:

"I had no problem with the decision of the play calling. I mean, you know, I think it was more of a ... how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in, I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl, that's pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time."

Deadspin speculates that last bit may be a nod to conspiracy theorists who speculated Lynch was excluded from the play in order to minimize his exposure in post-game coverage.

"I don't know what went into that call," Lynch continued. "I mean, maybe it was a good thing that I didn't get the ball. I mean, you know, it cost us the Super Bowl. ... I have full confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we've done it so many more times. But would I love to had the ball in? Yes, I would have."

Watch the interview -- which is voiced over in Turkish -- above. Lynch's take on the last play begins around 21 minutes in.