Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has conceded that the Super Bowl clash against the New England Patriots will be a "bit personal" for him.
Carroll was fired by the Patriots after three years and a 27-21 record back in 2000, but he has since gone on to resurrect his coaching career in the NFL.
"It's really fun. Who cares? But it's really fun," Carroll told KIRO-AM.
"It's a little bit personal because we were there and it's a great place and I have great respect for what they have done, the family, what they have pulled off over the years. The Kraft family, they've done amazing things, historic things in the league and in the last 15 years or however long it's been, They've been the best of the best and they've proven it. So we're fortunate to get a chance to get to play a team like this and a club like this."
Carroll moved to USC a year later and his dramatic rise with the University of Southern California gave him the opportunity to return to the league, where he will now look to win consecutive championships.