The medical examiner says Michael Vedvik’s manner of death was natural -- but his family blames the Seahawks.
Vedvik died of a heart attack Monday – hours after the Seahwaks were 1 yard short of their second straight Super Bowl victory.
In what may be the most debated play call in Seattle sports history, the Seahawks threw an interception on second down instead of handing off to running back Marshawn Lynch with 28 seconds left.
Vedvik, a Spokane native, is survived by his parents, wife Stephanie, three daughters and two step-daughters.
They “blame the Seahawks lousy play call for Mike’s untimely demise,” according to Vedvik’s obituary published Thursday in the Spokesman-Review.
Earlier this week, coach Pete Carroll stood by the decision for Russell Wilson to throw the pass that was intercepted by Malcolm Butler. Carroll also defended offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who was widely criticized.
Seattle decided to throw after seeing New England bring in its goal-line defenders, Carroll said. The Seahawks were also attempting to melt as much time from the clock with Tom Brady standing on the other sideline.
“One of those downs we were likely to throw the ball — maybe two of those downs we would have thrown the ball depending on how we had to save the clock,” Carroll told reporters. “We had to get all of our plays.”
And the part about the Seahawks being responsible for Vedvik’s death at age 53 – well, that’s not exactly true, his wife told the Spokesman-Review.
Vedvik recorded the game and intended to watch it later after feeling better from what he thought was indigestion or stress, according to the Spokesman-Review. He was found Monday morning, and doctors thought he died hours earlier, the newspaper reported.
"If I had read this obituary to my husband about somebody else, he would have had a laugh," Stephanie Vedvik told the Spokesman-Review, adding that the line was added by his brother-in-law.
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