I remember it well. I was in the 6th grade and I had the good fortune of having some neighborhood buddies that also loved the new local team in the NFL called the Seahawks. It didn't take but a flash to become immediately enamored with our first NFL team...I mean after all, the silver helmets, blue jerseys and my goodness, that AWESOME Hawk logo on the sides of the helmet?? Are you kidding me?
We felt spoiled right out of the gates. Us kids, using a Nerf football to emulate what we saw on gameday. I was Zorn. My buddy Todd Merrill was Largent. "Zorn to Largent!! Touchdown Seahawks!!" Was a common battle cry across our neighborhood back then.
Back then, I never knew how much heartache would await me as I grew older. All the years of ridicule and suffering. More than any fan should have to bare. Well, besides Browns fans which appears to be their default setting. (#factoryofsadness)
So besides the fleeting sparks of brilliance in the 80's, looking at the Seahawks as being little more than a long shot was the order of the day. As I grew up, I learned that I just happened to be a diehard fan of a team that wasn't even on the map of NFL Consciousness. In fact, one of the things that would get me fired up more than anything else would be when someone would laugh in my face and say "You're a Seahawks fan?!?! SEAHAWKS FAN?!?!?" Like it was the NFL equivalent of Leprosy.
So when Paul Allen bought the team, Holmgren became Head Coach, I knew things were about to change for the better. Despite the atrocity which is and forever will be XL*, I could sense the paradigm shift with this team. No longer were we the laughing stock of the league...In fact, we were a force to be reckoned with.
Fast forward to present day. It's extremely difficult to quantify just how special these days are for us Seahawks fans.
No words can express the gratitude and gratefulness I have for Paul, Pete and John. I think back to those days when I was a young boy, having no clue the hardships that lied ahead as being a life-long Seahawks fan, and thanks to them, every single moment of suffering and ridicule has been worth it.
Enjoy each and every...No, SAVOR each and every moment my fellow diehards.
We've all collectively earned this privilege to be considered one of the elite teams in the NFL.
GO HAWKS!
We felt spoiled right out of the gates. Us kids, using a Nerf football to emulate what we saw on gameday. I was Zorn. My buddy Todd Merrill was Largent. "Zorn to Largent!! Touchdown Seahawks!!" Was a common battle cry across our neighborhood back then.
Back then, I never knew how much heartache would await me as I grew older. All the years of ridicule and suffering. More than any fan should have to bare. Well, besides Browns fans which appears to be their default setting. (#factoryofsadness)
So besides the fleeting sparks of brilliance in the 80's, looking at the Seahawks as being little more than a long shot was the order of the day. As I grew up, I learned that I just happened to be a diehard fan of a team that wasn't even on the map of NFL Consciousness. In fact, one of the things that would get me fired up more than anything else would be when someone would laugh in my face and say "You're a Seahawks fan?!?! SEAHAWKS FAN?!?!?" Like it was the NFL equivalent of Leprosy.
So when Paul Allen bought the team, Holmgren became Head Coach, I knew things were about to change for the better. Despite the atrocity which is and forever will be XL*, I could sense the paradigm shift with this team. No longer were we the laughing stock of the league...In fact, we were a force to be reckoned with.
Fast forward to present day. It's extremely difficult to quantify just how special these days are for us Seahawks fans.
No words can express the gratitude and gratefulness I have for Paul, Pete and John. I think back to those days when I was a young boy, having no clue the hardships that lied ahead as being a life-long Seahawks fan, and thanks to them, every single moment of suffering and ridicule has been worth it.
Enjoy each and every...No, SAVOR each and every moment my fellow diehards.
We've all collectively earned this privilege to be considered one of the elite teams in the NFL.
GO HAWKS!