SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Seahawks had throttled the New England Patriots all game but still had only managed a 12-0 lead in a tight game when linebacker Derick Hall made the play that opened the way for Seattle to claim its second title.

Hall sacked New England quarterback Drake Maye in the third quarter and stripped the ball away for a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Byron Murphy II. Five plays later, Seattle reached the end zone for the first time in the game on a 16-yard touchdown catch by tight end A.J. Barner on the way to a 29-13 victory in Super Bowl 60.

It was the first turnover of the game and it essentially helped Seattle put the game away. Hall finished with two sacks after only getting two all season.

For Hall, 24, to even play in his first Super Bowl, let alone make it to the NFL, was an impressive accomplishment in its own right.

Hall was born four months premature in Gulfport, Mississippi, and was pronounced dead at birth without a heartbeat before being resuscitated.

Doctors believed Hall would likely be in a permanent vegetative state, and advised his mother, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, to allow life support to be discontinued. But Gooden-Crandle refused, and Hall survived five months in an intensive care unit, frequent hospitalizations and intense asthma throughout his childhood.

He began playing flag football at 4 years old, and after a standout career at Gulfport High School was a star defensive end at Auburn. He was selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, and quickly entrenched himself as a key cog in Seattle’s defense.

Smith-Njigba evaluated

Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba returned in the fourth quarter after being taken to the locker room in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.

Smith-Njigba, the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, appeared to get banged up when he was tackled by New England cornerback Marcus Jones on a four-yard completion midway through the third quarter.

Kubiak going to Vegas

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed he will be the next Las Vegas Raiders head coach during an on-field interview following the game.

“You guys know I’m going to Las Vegas,” Kubiak told NFL Network. “I’m fired up about it. Hell yeah, I’m going. Of course, I’m going.”