It was one of the most important plays for one of the greatest defenses in N.F.L. history, but it has been all but forgotten because of what happened afterward.
Clinging to a 23-17 lead over the 49ers in the final minute of the N.F.C. championship game in January 2014, the Seattle Seahawks were sweating as Colin Kaepernick drove San Francisco to Seattle’s 18-yard line. On first-and-10, Kaepernick, the dynamic young quarterback, went for the win with a pass to Michael Crabtree in the right corner of the end zone. The pass was true, the sure-handed receiver was in position, and the 49ers seemed to be stealing a trip to New York for Super Bowl XLVIII.