When you think of the Seattle Seahawks you can't help but think of the fans. They have become one of the most well known fanbases in all of sports. Known for their loyalty and the unmatched energy they bring to each game. They earned themselves the nickname of the 12's. This is due to the impact they an have on the game, its likes having an extra player. The stadium is also engineered to help concentrated the sound down onto the field. This creates difficulty in play calling and confusion for the other team.
 |
| 40th anniversary of the #12 being retired for the fans (2) |
Record Noise
The crowd has set multiple records for the loudest stadium. They reached 137.6 decibels, about the equivalent of a jet engine if standing 100 feet away (6). In 2011 their star running back Marshawn Lynch had an incredible run that erupted the stands. The crowd erupted so big on this run it actually was picked up as an earthquake (4) on local seismographs. The play was called the beast quake (5), combining Marshawn's nickname Beast Mode and the earthquake he caused.
 |
| Actor Rainn Wilson raising the 12 flag before a game (7) |
Honoring Fans
Seahawks start each home game by honoring a special guest with raising the 12 flag in the stadium. This is usually a former great seahawks player, but they also have special guests. Some of these guests have included actors, celebrities such as Bill Nye, a cancer survivor, and a Vietnam war hero (8). Fan involvement is a huge identity for who this Seahawks team is. By brining back former hall of fame players to get both the crowd and players hyped for the game helps keep that energetic atmosphere that is extremely challenging for opposing teams to come and play at.
 |
| Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk at a game (3) |
Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk
All sports teams have the super fans that go all out every game. The ones that put on their custom uniforms they made and paint their faces. For the Seahawks these fans are Jeff and DEDE Schumaier; and they took being a super fan to the next level. They have earned themselves the nickname Mr and Mrs. Seahawk. On game days they wake up at 3 am and paint the hawks logo across their faces. Then suit up with their custom #12 jerseys with the names Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk written across the back along with their blue and green wigs. The Seattle Met shared when these super fans made, "their decision to get married at the 50-yard-line of the Kingdome before a game against the Washington Redskins in 1998. “We did our wedding vows, and after we kissed my best man handed me a paper bag with my wig in it,” Jeff says. “So that’s how I rolled for the rest of the day: a white tux and a blue wig”"(1). Moments like this show how deeply connected people can be to their favorite team. To spend one of the most important days of your life at your favorite stadium show how truly meaningful being apart of this community is to them.
Sources
6. Pompliano, J. (2023, January 9). Why the Seahawks' stadium is SO Loud. TikTok.
No comments:
Post a Comment