Seahawks QB Hasselbeck Still Has Regrets From Super Bowl 40 Loss

20 years after leading Seattle to its first Super Bowl, the former QB reflects on what went wrong.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 5:47pm

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It's been 20 years since the Seattle Seahawks first appeared in a Super Bowl, but quarterback Matt Hasselbeck still has regrets about their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 40. Hasselbeck said he lost his composure a few times during the game due to disagreements with the referees, which led to an interception that he then compounded by getting flagged again for making the tackle. Despite the disappointing loss, the Seahawks would go on to win Super Bowl 48 and make another appearance the following season.

Why it matters

The Seahawks' Super Bowl 40 appearance marked the first time the franchise had reached the big game, and the loss was a tough one for the team and its fans. Hasselbeck's reflections provide insight into the emotions and challenges of playing in the Super Bowl, and highlight how even small moments can have a big impact on the outcome of a game of that magnitude.

The details

Led by Hasselbeck and that season's MVP Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10, in what would be Jerome Bettis' last game as a Steeler happening in his hometown of Detroit. Hasselbeck went 26-for-49 with 273 yards passing, one touchdown and one interception. He said he lost his composure a few times during the game because he was upset with the referees, which led to the interception and subsequent penalty.

  • The Seahawks first appeared in the Super Bowl in 2006.

The players

Matt Hasselbeck

The quarterback from the Seahawks' 2006 Super Bowl team who said he still has regrets about the game.

Shaun Alexander

The 2005 NFL MVP who was on the Seahawks' Super Bowl 40 team.

Jerome Bettis

The Steelers running back who played his final game in his hometown of Detroit in Super Bowl 40.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think there's anything that I would have done differently other than maybe not losing my poise. There were a couple of calls in the game that didn't go our way, and I lost my cool on the referee and didn't regain my poise by the time the 40-second clock had, you know, it was time to snap the next play.”

— Matt Hasselbeck, Former Seahawks QB (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, giving Hasselbeck's former team another chance at Super Bowl glory.

The takeaway

Hasselbeck's reflections on the Seahawks' Super Bowl 40 loss highlight how even veteran players can struggle with the immense pressure and emotions of the big game. His regrets over losing his composure serve as a cautionary tale for current players, showing that maintaining poise and focus is crucial, even when things don't go your way.