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Seahawks Sorry For Tweet Comparing MLK, Football

SEATTLE (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have apologized for a tweet that linked their improbable NFC championship game victory to Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday, the national holiday celebrating the slain civil rights leader, the team sent out a Twitter message that said, "We shall overcome." The tweet featured a picture of an emotional Russell Wilson, the team's quarterback, next to a quote from King and the hashtag MLKDay.

Later, the Seahawks deleted the tweet and sent out an apology for "poor judgment."

"We did not intend to compare football to the civil rights legacy of Dr. King," the team said.

On Sunday, the Seahawks came from behind to defeat the Green Bay Packers 28-22. They will face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland cited the Seahawks' victory during an MLK Day speech on Monday, according to The News Tribune.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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