Breda Report: The End Of An Era

[AROS]

A year ago tomorrow, I made a significant life choice and moved from my native Western Washington / King County region and moved 180 miles Southwest to the charming town of Astoria, Oregon with my fiancé. Situated on the mouth of the Columbia River where the Columbia meets the Pacific Ocean (one of the most dangerous locations in the world for boats of any size, also known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" for good reason), I finally reached my goal to live minutes to the ocean beaches.

The new beginning for me, also signaled an end. While I charted a new course in my life with a future wife, the Seahawks were closing a very significant chapter in franchise history which ultimately proved to be the Swan Song of the Pete Carroll Era.

As I celebrated that final game with all of you where Julian Love picked off Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in a nationally-televised game, it seemed a fitting goodbye to a coach that not only took us to - but won - a Super Bowl championship.

Most of us didn't know it at the time, but we would eventually all learn in just a few months that that would be the last game that Pete Carroll would ever be the Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

As I wrestled with my new TV/Internet provider Spectrum (Comcast, although I know are thieves with their hidden fees and overall monopoly, at least had solid service overall), I quickly learned I could no longer watch all my usual Pacific Northwest coverage of the Seahawks. KING 5, KOMO 4, Q13 FOX, etc...All no longer offered to me simply because I crossed a state line.

Names like Paul Silvi, Adam Levine, Dave Wyman and so forth...All vaporized to my viewing pleasure as I had grown accustomed to for years.

Oh well, I thought. Life does go on. First world problems and the such.

I eventually settled into my new dynamic. Watching the local FOX/Sports broadcasts that are heavy on the Ducks and Beavers but hey, at least they do consider the Seahawks their NFL team, so I do get some coverage for post games.

I've been a Season Ticket Holder since 1997. I have seen so much in that time. So much. From the Darryl Williams complete obliteration of Ricky Dudley in the Kingdome to the Ricky Watters Era in Husky Stadium while the new stadium was being built. From the inaugural 2002 season of "Seahawks Stadium" to the years of "Qwest Field" when some guy named Hasselbeck handed off to some guy named Alexander behind a future Hall of Fame offensive line with some no names like Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson.

I've seen it all in that stadium. Every single playoff win. NFC Championship win. And of course, The Tip and Beast Quake.

I was there contributing to the - at the time - decibel world record. To this day I am still dubious that the Chiefs beat us out later but whatever. Can we have a true calibration for these damn decibel machines? But I digress.

I have left that stadium many, many, many times either half drunk, or pissed, half deaf, with no voice left, elated, in complete and utter bliss or some combination of all the above.

Like the product in front of my eyes on the field most the time...

I laid it all on the line for this team I've loved since 1976.

The home field advantage was truly second to none. Between 2010 and 2015 there was no place on earth louder to watch a football game than in Seattle, Washington. The energy was truly palpable. It was the one thing that would get me off the couch. To experience gameday amongst nearly 68,000 12's is hard to quantify in words. You just have to experience it for yourself.

In the early 00's, Seahawks.NET made the local watering hole, Temple Billiards their own. Many of us NETTERS would meet up before the game and chug beers (or in my case wine) and capture a nice buzz as we sauntered into the stadium knowing we had a very, very good chance of winning. Nearly 9 times out of 10, we would be going home victorious. And deaf. And void of vocals due to screaming our guts out for 4 quarters. After playoff wins we would meet up again at Temple, celebrating until we ran out of steam or money, or both.

I could write a book about my experiences between all the games attended, the friends I've made, the good times I've had. And some times, not so good times. That's all part of being a diehard fan too.

I had to make the tough choice to decide to sell my season tickets two years ago as my life significantly changed. Divorce, move, fiancé...You make hard choices sometimes to fit the new path you choose. Luckily, a good member here on .NET has picked them up for me so I don't lose my tenure in case I ever decide to take them back over depending on life circumstance. One never does know where their path leads them down the road. I am grateful for him and for the freewill I am afforded in life to make the choices I feel are right for me each and every day, week, month and year.

So this all brings me to this past weekend.

Aforementioned good member who currently rents out my season tickets found it in his kind heart to gift me the tickets to the Bills game. Shows the kind of guy he is. I called up my best friend, who I sorely miss, and we arranged to make a weekend of it and go to the game. Sadly, the weather was not wanting to cooperate being late October and all, but that is the risk you take with NFL football beyond September, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

I won't bore you with all my grievances over the hustle and bustle of King County versus sleepy Astoria, Oregon. Let's just say after having a terrific night on the town that Saturday night, gameday was a real shock to my system. The first bad sign was the sheer amount of Bills fans. I don't mean the usual influx of opposing team fans who like to arrive early. I mean they literally made me think this was a Bills home game I was attending. I was speechless.

I thought, surely it won't look that bad once we are inside.

Wrong.

Just like the week before, the stadium had an alarming amount of the opposing team's colors.

Alarming.

I remember when we used to have that graphic that would say "VOLUME 12!!!" indicating our commitment to being the loudest fans in the country. The graphic on the big screen showing how high the decibel meter was getting........110...........115..........127...........130!!!!!

Now if we sniff 105 it's kinda a big deal.

These days we are approaching 50/50 opposing team fans versus 12s. Never thought I would see the day. I get it. I hear you all. I understand the reasons, but it still makes me damn sad.

At the end of the day, one thing we can all agree on is that if you put a superior product on the field, the fans will come. Fervor follows success. We saw it with the LOB Era and we can see it again if a similar era can take hold. Until then, I guess I just have to rest in the company of my memories. The cherished moments of glory I will never, ever forget thanks to a group of men who made such joy and ecstasy so possible.

The beauty of the end of an era is that it allows a new era to follow. And follow I will.

 

[seabowl]

A year ago tomorrow, I made a significant life choice and moved from my native Western Washington / King County region and moved 180 miles Southwest to the charming town of Astoria, Oregon with my fiancé. Situated on the mouth of the Columbia River where the Columbia meets the Pacific Ocean (one of the most dangerous locations in the world for boats of any size, also known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" for good reason), I finally reached my goal to live minutes to the ocean beaches.

The new beginning for me, also signaled an end. While I charted a new course in my life with a future wife, the Seahawks were closing a very significant chapter in franchise history which ultimately proved to be the Swan Song of the Pete Carroll Era.

As I celebrated that final game with all of you where Julian Love picked off Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in a nationally-televised game, it seemed a fitting goodbye to a coach that not only took us to - but won - a Super Bowl championship.

Most of us didn't know it at the time, but we would eventually all learn in just a few months that that would be the last game that Pete Carroll would ever be the Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

As I wrestled with my new TV/Internet provider Spectrum (Comcast, although I know are thieves with their hidden fees and overall monopoly, at least had solid service overall), I quickly learned I could no longer watch all my usual Pacific Northwest coverage of the Seahawks. KING 5, KOMO 4, Q13 FOX, etc...All no longer offered to me simply because I crossed a state line.

Names like Paul Silvi, Adam Levine, Dave Wyman and so forth...All vaporized to my viewing pleasure as I had grown accustomed to for years.

Oh well, I thought. Life does go on. First world problems and the such.

I eventually settled into my new dynamic. Watching the local FOX/Sports broadcasts that are heavy on the Ducks and Beavers but hey, at least they do consider the Seahawks their NFL team, so I do get some coverage for post games.

I've been a Season Ticket Holder since 1997. I have seen so much in that time. So much. From the Darryl Williams complete obliteration of Ricky Dudley in the Kingdome to the Ricky Watters Era in Husky Stadium while the new stadium was being built. From the inaugural 2002 season of "Seahawks Stadium" to the years of "Qwest Field" when some guy named Hasselbeck handed off to some guy named Alexander behind a future Hall of Fame offensive line with some no names like Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson.

I've seen it all in that stadium. Every single playoff win. NFC Championship win. And of course, The Tip and Beast Quake.

I was there contributing to the - at the time - decibel world record. To this day I am still dubious that the Chiefs beat us out later but whatever. Can we have a true calibration for these damn decibel machines? But I digress.

I have left that stadium many, many, many times either half drunk, or pissed, half deaf, with no voice left, elated, in complete and utter bliss or some combination of all the above.

Like the product in front of my eyes on the field most the time...

I laid it all on the line for this team I've loved since 1976.

The home field advantage was truly second to none. Between 2010 and 2015 there was no place on earth louder to watch a football game than in Seattle, Washington. The energy was truly palpable. It was the one thing that would get me off the couch. To experience gameday amongst nearly 68,000 12's is hard to quantify in words. You just have to experience it for yourself.

In the early 00's, Seahawks.NET made the local watering hole, Temple Billiards their own. Many of us NETTERS would meet up before the game and chug beers (or in my case wine) and capture a nice buzz as we sauntered into the stadium knowing we had a very, very good chance of winning. Nearly 9 times out of 10, we would be going home victorious. And deaf. And void of vocals due to screaming our guts out for 4 quarters. After playoff wins we would meet up again at Temple, celebrating until we ran out of steam or money, or both.

I could write a book about my experiences between all the games attended, the friends I've made, the good times I've had. And some times, not so good times. That's all part of being a diehard fan too.

I had to make the tough choice to decide to sell my season tickets two years ago as my life significantly changed. Divorce, move, fiancé...You make hard choices sometimes to fit the new path you choose. Luckily, a good member here on .NET has picked them up for me so I don't lose my tenure in case I ever decide to take them back over depending on life circumstance. One never does know where their path leads them down the road. I am grateful for him and for the freewill I am afforded in life to make the choices I feel are right for me each and every day, week, month and year.

So this all brings me to this past weekend.

Aforementioned good member who currently rents out my season tickets found it in his kind heart to gift me the tickets to the Bills game. Shows the kind of guy he is. I called up my best friend, who I sorely miss, and we arranged to make a weekend of it and go to the game. Sadly, the weather was not wanting to cooperate being late October and all, but that is the risk you take with NFL football beyond September, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

I won't bore you with all my grievances over the hustle and bustle of King County versus sleepy Astoria, Oregon. Let's just say after having a terrific night on the town that Saturday night, gameday was a real shock to my system. The first bad sign was the sheer amount of Bills fans. I don't mean the usual influx of opposing team fans who like to arrive early. I mean they literally made me think this was a Bills home game I was attending. I was speechless.

I thought, surely it won't look that bad once we are inside.

Wrong.

Just like the week before, the stadium had an alarming amount of the opposing team's colors.

Alarming.

I remember when we used to have that graphic that would say "VOLUME 12!!!" indicating our commitment to being the loudest fans in the country. The graphic on the big screen showing how high the decibel meter was getting........110...........115..........127...........130!!!!!

Now if we sniff 105 it's kinda a big deal.

These days we are approaching 50/50 opposing team fans versus 12s. Never thought I would see the day. I get it. I hear you all. I understand the reasons, but it still makes me damn sad.

At the end of the day, one thing we can all agree on is that if you put a superior product on the field, the fans will come. Fervor follows success. We saw it with the LOB Era and we can see it again if a similar era can take hold. Until then, I guess I just have to rest in the company of my memories. The cherished moments of glory I will never, ever forget thanks to a group of men who made such joy and ecstasy so possible.

The beauty of the end of an era is that it allows a new era to follow. And follow I will.

Thanks for sharing. It is definitely a different era because back in the day when the team wasn’t good in the 70s, 80s, or 90s, the Kingdome was rocking regardless of their record. The change has taken place due to the Almighty dollar. People are getting boatloads to sell their tickets and will just watch an average team on TV and sell their tickets to an opposing fan. Outside of the ticket, the cost to get to the stadium, park, eat, drink, etc. It’s just too damn expensive and people will usually only pay for that to watch a good product on the field. That ain’t the case right now.

Ownership doesn’t care because they just want to bring in the money, regardless of who sitting in the seat. These aren’t your fathers Kingdome Seahawks.

 

[MORGULON]

I agree with the above posts. It's a different era. Many of the 12s that came later are the first ones to leave . They loved it when the LOB was laying down the law but lose interest when they come back down to earth.

 

[Hawknight]

I agree with the above posts. It's a different era. Many of the 12s that came later are the first ones to leave . They loved it when the LOB was laying down the law but lose interest when they come back down to earth.

Unfortunately I know several people who are bandwagon type fans with who ever is doing well that season. I dint know if that is a new generational type of thinking but I see it more frequently it seems as of late. I have a friend who was a New England fan during the Brady years but now a Mahomes fan sporting KC jerseys. Each to their own I guess. I prefer to eternally love my Hawks no matter how frustrating they may have been as of late. We will rise to the top again one day and I will be faithful until that day comes once again. Go Hawks!

 

[AROS]

Unfortunately I know several people who are bandwagon type fans with who ever is doing well that season. I dint know if that is a new generational type of thinking but I see it more frequently it seems as of late. I have a friend who was a New England fan during the Brady years but now a Mahomes fan sporting KC jerseys. Each to their own I guess. I prefer to eternally love my Hawks no matter how frustrating they may have been as of late. We will rise to the top again one day and I will be faithful until that day comes once again. Go Hawks!

And thus the difference between a fair-weather fan and a true blue diehard. We diehards will never, ever quit on our team. They are our family. Our tribe. Thick and thin.

It’s what separates us from them.

 

[chris98251]

Seahawks were a Blue Collar town mostly when they came into being, Boeing, Timber, Pulp Mills still were around, that was the fan base, Microsoft emerged in the 1980's. It was a grand time for the working class to see NFL football, Behring bought us and sold us out, Paul was convinced to buy the Seahawks, not because he loved football as much, he loved the area, and the fans wanted the team to stay, he grew to love them, first love was the Blazers, he was a Husky fan as well.

The bad taste from Behring, and the reinvented Seahawks with a new stadium drew a new version of fans, corporate mentality infected the league, suites, catered food, comfort seats etc were selling points, the games became a marketing tool for businesses, the be where the in crowd was, we won a lot so it was a easy sell. Bring that aspect and then the new generations of fans who want instant gratification and not so much the patience of a team building a winner and you begin to have a loss of dedication to teams. We have seen Selig, Schultz, Behring, Bennett, and Greg Nichols all involved with selling out teams here in Seattle to move them, Paul Saved the Seahawks but by only the thinnest of margins. The leagues are not about the fans anymore. They are about marketing and revenue. They have priced out the working class for the most part who have the passion for the long haul.

You are correct, it is the end of an Era, when fans are shushed for cheering, or people leave in the third quarter you know the base is not the same. These things were unheard of before.

 

[Aircrew]

Great post and I agree.

The other factor that has watered down the diehards is the transplants from outside the PNW that occupy the westside now. They attend games because their company gave them tickets or some sh*t or it's "something to do" on a Sunday. They're too interested in their phones, getting a fresh momosa and/or taking selfies for the 'Gram than following the game and knowing when to, and not to, get LOUD. Change isn't always bad, I'm old enough to admit that now. But, if the era of us 'Hawk Sleeve' fans is really behind us for good, I propose a toast:

"Cheers boys, to the best damn fans and game day experience in the NFL. Everyone else will read about it, while we lived it."

 

[soxhawk]

Would be interesting to know how many "businesses" own those tickets being scalped each week. Like LA & LV, Seattle is an enticing destination for opposing fans to come experience.

 

[GlobHawk]

Great post and I agree.

The other factor that has watered down the diehards is the transplants from outside the PNW that occupy the westside now. They attend games because their company gave them tickets or some sh*t or it's "something to do" on a Sunday. They're too interested in their phones, getting a fresh momosa and/or taking selfies for the 'Gram than following the game and knowing when to, and not to, get LOUD. Change isn't always bad, I'm old enough to admit that now. But, if the era of us 'Hawk Sleeve' fans is really behind us for good, I propose a toast:

"Cheers boys, to the best damn fans and game day experience in the NFL. Everyone else will read about it, while we lived it."

This x1000

Amen boys, we sure did get to witness some insanely epic highs.

This post makes me feel very somber, as it truly highlights why I eventually sold my tickets...

I have this teams logo tattooed on my arm, thats for life lol. I'll be here rooting for them through the thick and thin, and will always represent them. But I do worry about our team drifting off into the Panther type mediocre abyss. This team has a lot of serious problems at the moment and they won't be easy fixes.

Unsure about Jody's ownership too, and worry about her selling the team. I don't really trust her word.

There is one thing for certain, Seattle needs winning sports teams or they will end up not having teams...

I'd like to give Macdonald a couple years at the very least as he has inherited a cap mess. As well as a piss poor oline, a QB that folds when everything doesn't go his way, and a defense that is currently confused. I want to see this team play angry again, with the passion and dedication we used to. I want to see some dogs again...

 

[Atradees]

I moved from Seattle to the east side. I am originally from Gresham. I am not sure I like the desert though. Once I read your story, I thought I would remind you the Blazers have an interesting tallest and youngest nba team that has a three game win streak. Good luck.

 

[projectorfreak]

I brought my 2 year old son to the game the giants couldn't kick a field goal to save their lives and it was fabulous , i set him up with headphones and we watched the hawks win in the club seats and I go to every game I can even with my big screen at home and man cave because it's fun to be loud
I still have never been shushed by anybody and did stuff like bring 100 party city megaphones to the nfccg and saw those same mega phones come back until they banned em damnit
Now i take some construction paper and cut it and put packing tape on it to make my own ,(really saves your vocal chords the next day)
I will always be a seahawk fan and was way before we were any good and now have the whole family interested and go to games with my uncle so Go Hawks
Great post brotha
Lets shock the world

 

[hawks85]

And thus the difference between a fair-weather fan and a true blue diehard. We diehards will never, ever quit on our team. They are our family. Our tribe. Thick and thin.

It’s what separates us from them.

Yup, born in 75. I bet you these bandwagoners didn't know that Seattle is the only team to play in both AFC and NFC championship games. Through the bad years I ride or die with the Hawks. We'll get back to the big dance real soon gentleman. Once coach Mike gets his guys to run the defense we'll be a force to be reckoned with and bring the fear back playing at Lumen.

 

[hawks85]

I agree with the above posts. It's a different era. Many of the 12s that came later are the first ones to leave . They loved it when the LOB was laying down the law but lose interest when they come back down to earth.

Yup. I seen one dude who I kinda new but not really wearing and cheering for the Hawks. Once the LOB went away dude was wearing 9ers gear. I'm like dude what are you doing and wearing. He said the Hawks suck or something along those lines. I said you're a fair weather fan and I knew there was a reason why I didn't like your ass to begin with. I haven't talked to that dude since he jumped ship.

 

[dbmack]

As I wrestled with my new TV/Internet provider Spectrum (Comcast, although I know are thieves with their hidden fees and overall monopoly, at least had solid service overall), I quickly learned I could no longer watch all my usual Pacific Northwest coverage of the Seahawks. KING 5, KOMO 4, Q13 FOX, etc...All no longer offered to me simply because I crossed a state line.

Not because you crossed a state line. I've lived in SW Washington my whole life and have never gotten Seattle TV stations. We are in Portland's broadcast area.

 

[keasley45]

We live in an era where loyalty is bought and sold at every level of society, business and government. People are more concerned with what they can buy with their dollars tomorrow than they are the life they can live today.

 

[Mick063]

This isn't about loyalty or fandom at all. This is about affordability.

A few decades ago, Dad would take his kids to the game and would pass his fandom along to the next generation. Generational inheritance. No longer. You don't pay over a thousand bucks for a couple of kids to go to the game. Not if you are working class. You alternatively call up a couple friends that will pay for their own tickets. Hence, generational inheritance lost. Fandom not passed down.

So now the generational inheritance is totally reliant upon the television screen. At one time, very affordable with the old format of just three networks showing all the games. Soon, however, one will need subscriptions to Prime, Paramount, Netflix (negotiations underway), Comcast streaming, and NFL network to watch all NFL playoff games. Add those together and you are well above a hundred bucks a month just to watch post season football at a level equivalent to what fans could watch two decades ago with just three channels.

The NFL is going the way of yacht racing and polo. A rich man's sport. It will inevitably price itself into a niche audience. Stadiums half full of wealthy travelers have already arrived and is the new normal. Pay per view is next and is already subtlety present in the form of required streaming subscriptions. This fore mentioned evolution into a rich man's sport will accelerate due to broken generational inheritance. Fandom no longer passed down because you can't afford to bring the kids to the game. Niche audiences. Fandom itself as a status symbol.

The working class will move on to new, affordable entertainment venues. Until the grifters swoop in to coopt and exploit them as well.