Bruce Irvin apologizes for fight

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin apologized Monday after he was ejected following a fight in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday night.

Irvin, who said he was overcome with emotion after seeing teammateMichael Bennettget hit, took to Twitter to explain his actions.

With the New England Patriots having secured another title with an interception just moments before to seal what was a 28-24 victory, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was attempting to simply take a knee with 20 seconds remaining at his 5-yard line.

However, Irvin got in a shoving match with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, and then he waspushed from behind by Patriots guard Ryan Wendell, escalating the sides' unrest.

"I was protecting a teammate, emotions flew," Irvin said Sunday night. "I saw somebody hit Mike Bennett, so I went and backed up my brother. I went about it wrong. Emotions were flying high, and I apologize.

"But if it happened again, I would go protect my teammate. That's just how it is."

Wendell and Irvin were shoving back and forth in the back of the end zone. With the officials focused on the pile of players in the middle of the field, Irvin and Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui were locked up.

Irvin threw Hoomanawanui to the ground as players were separated.

"I don't know, they just started coming at us. We were just trying to take a knee," Gronkowski said. "Just happens, it's football, just emotions going.

"It's football, things happen. It's all good. I mean, it's all good. They played ball, they're a hardworking team and we just came out and did what we did to get the win."

Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com and The Associated Press contributed to this report.