Why Do We Care?

[AROS]

Seriously. This is an honest question to all my fellow 12s.

Why do we really care what some numbnuts with a modicum of media credentials thinks about our team? And trust me, this is not an accusatory thread, we ALL care to varying degree on some level what outsiders think about our beloved Seattle Seahawks.

Why?

I am asking myself this question just as much as I am asking you.

For me, I guess after being a diehard fan of the team since I was 9 years old (56 now), I am quite protective of my "tribe". The logo, the colors, the history...I guess I get somewhat defensive or dismissive if there are folks out there, ESPECIALLY national mediots, who thumb their nose at us. Part of that is ECB (East Coast Bias, like it or not, like UFOs, it's real people), part of it is I just want to hear positivity all the time about my team even though I am fully cognizant that that is the furthest thing from reality.

So what about you? Why do you care what others think or say about our team?

 

[ccla]

I don’t and therefore I am not a die hard fan. I used to but no longer. Now I get my analysis from one place only. Yes, it may be at time a little rose colored, but why should I give a shit what people that do not care and have no knowledge of my team think?

 

[AROS]

I don’t and therefore I am not a die hard fan. I used to but no longer. Now I get my analysis from one place only. Yes, it may be at time a little rose colored, but why should I give a shit what people that do not care and have no knowledge of my team think?

You're right. I shouldn't say you are not a true diehard fan if you truly don't care. Everybody is wired how they are wired. I removed that last sentence as demeaning any fan is never my intent.

 

[ccla]

I don’t and therefore I am not a die hard fan.

And I can live with that

 

[rjdriver]

We are hardwired to care about what other people think of “us”. It’s a longing to be accepted. It’s only when you get a little older and realize the temporary nature of…well…everything, that you gravitate into the “I don’t give a crap what you think of me” phase. It’s quite liberating.

What the media says about the Seahawks doesn’t affect me at all. But I’ve built a habit of following them for so many years, that I digest about everything that I see. Hell, seeing the world fawning over the Seahawks would actually be boring to me. I still like laughing my ass off when I read some of this stuff from the natl media.

I won’t lie. I’ve always loved being an unapologetic fan of a small market team. It’s been fun to zig while other zag. During the really lean years, I remember talking to other “non wavering” fans of the 90’s Browns, Chargers and Chiefs and there was an implied and unspoken respect amongst us. I secretly loved NEVER seeing a Seahawk jersey outside of Wa. prior to 2012.

In the spirit of Barbara Mandrell, “I was a Seahawk fan when being a Seahawks fan wasn’t cool”. So having them being disrespected again is like going back to my boyhood’s home comfy chair.

 

[James in PA]

Seriously. This is an honest question to all my fellow 12s.

Why do we really care what some numbnuts with a modicum of media credentials thinks about our team? And trust me, this is not an accusatory thread, we ALL care to varying degree on some level what outsiders think about our beloved Seattle Seahawks.

Why?

I am asking myself this question just as much as I am asking you.

For me, I guess after being a diehard fan of the team since I was 9 years old (56 now), I am quite protective of my "tribe". The logo, the colors, the history...I guess I get somewhat defensive or dismissive if there are folks out there, ESPECIALLY national mediots, who thumb their nose at us. Part of that is ECB (East Coast Bias, like it or not, like UFOs, it's real people), part of it is I just want to hear positivity all the time about my team even though I am fully cognizant that that is the furthest thing from reality.

So what about you? Why do you care what others think or say about our team?

I just get annoyed at laziness. To me, "they lost Geno and DK therefore they won't be as good" is a lazy take. First of all, we upgraded the QB position. Anybody stating otherwise didn't watch football last year. And losing a good but underachieving wide receiver in what will be a run-heavy offense is no major loss. O line should be improved (knock on wood). Defense should really take off in year two under MM. We have an OC and O line coach who appear to actually have a clue. The schedule on paper seems to be more favorable too. Yeah, I like our chances. 11 wins minimum.

 

[DTiempo81]

I personally love when the media looks down on the Seahawks. Makes it even sweeter when we prove them wrong.

 

[Hawkstud]

Well.... It's kind of like what my momma told me about 70 years ago about "if you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say anything" but I would add "If you talk crap about my Seahawks, shut yer piehole".

 

[Hawknight]

These days, I put far less stock in the media and their opinions. It seems like anyone with a keyboard feels entitled to throw out hot takes, often fueled by personal bias or dislike for a team. East Coast bias is real—and it’s especially glaring during the season. But honestly, that’s one of the things I admire most about our team: we thrive on the disrespect. The media can try to downplay our success or ignore the excitement we bring, but it only makes us stronger. Let them talk—we’ll keep showing up.

 

[oldhawkfan]

Eh. I don’t really care what others think about the Seahawks. It used to get my hackles up somewhat but I’ve evolved. Way back in the 90’s, I was at a stoplight on a hot summer day with my windows down. I had on my vehicle as I usually do, a Seahawks emblem. Some asshole behind me yelled out so I could obviously hear, “Seahawks suck”. It pissed me off and I held my middle finger up and out the window for an extra long time. It was the 90’s and yea they did technically suck, but as a diehard they have never sucked. Disappointed me? Absolutely. Just don’t talk bad about my team to me. It’s kind of like if someone trashes my kids or grandkids in front of me. It says more about them than it does me.

 

[jammerhawk]

Those same media blowhards have repetitively been dead wrong about the prospects for my team and frankly I could simply care less about their opinions. Mostly I just ignore incomplete or uninformed opinion pieces

I prefer rather to form my own opinions based upon my own observations and usually better knowledge of my team the whole roster, the players, and coaches.

Worst of any and all of them is that A-h Prisco, who is permanently on my ignore list.

 

[Appyhawk]

It used to effect me to read the news clips about the Seahawks, good or bad. But these days I just blow them off as so many are just clickbait material aimed to sell ad exposures as the #1 priority, authored by someone with a resume fabricated by AI. Seahawks .com is now my top source other than folks I KNOW are legit, informed, close to the team. ESPN is not what the reliable source they once were. Sports Illustrated same story. Now they are mostly just hucksters. So I don't care what they say I don't pay much attention to them anyway. I'll go by what I see on the field.

 

[MesquiteHawk]

I understand that controversy creates clicks and clicks create wealth for the "journalist". It is due to this understanding that I believe almost nothing that I read from any media source. All of them are in the business of making you feel a certain way. Some make you feel good, and others make you feel angry. "Do you want to know more?"

 

[CalgaryFan05]

I personally love when the media looks down on the Seahawks. Makes it even sweeter when we prove them wrong.

This.

I couldn't care less what the mediots or others think of the hawks - although I do find the nicknames in enemy fan forums 'amusing'. If they like us, great - that's encouragement. If they hate us and call our receivers pedestrian - well puts a chip on our shoulder - not the worst thing.

IMHO the team has always fed off negative energy and a chip on their shoulder more than positive. So, haters - bring it on! I'll take the bulletin board material.

AND, as an aside, we all usually know 'what the deal' is around here in general. Might be slightly split on issues like DK, Lockett, etc - but even if you're bitching, you usually know what the problems are or have an inkling.

I care 4000X more what the people around HERE think about the team/current team/past team/etc than I ever will about whoever's hatin' of the day. There's a bunch of smart people on .net and I appreciate being a part of it.

 

[Sperrydogg]

I care becuase the Seahawks are ours. It’s about respect. It’s ok if someone disrespects us, I just wanna know who it was so we can prove them wrong and then say I told you so

 

[NoGain]

When it comes to predictions and prognostications, it doesn't get to me where we are placed and why. There's a lot of group think and lazy analysis about such things. As a Seahawk fan first and foremost, however, it does annoy and irk me at times about the lack of much of any kind of reporting about not only the Hawks, but also any number of other teams that I might like to hear a little more about that get ignored by the national media. But this is narrowing of the national media's focus and narratives is becoming ever more prevalent well beyond the world of sports in our emerging AI world.

 

[toffee]

I ought to be in the minority here as I enjoy opinions from media and analytics from various outfits. Here's why:

1. Most of the talking heads have more knowledge or experience than I do; they are mostly former players, coaches, scouts, or long-time observers. Could they be wrong? Absolutely, but I enjoy reading their opinions. I find them educational but never take them as the bible. They were guessing, just like me, and teams got it wrong, drafting etc., all the time.
   
   
2. Analytics are even more fun. I remember old-fashioned coaches and front office types resisted analytics for a long time. When analytics were in their infancy and the old timers couldn't understand them. It was fashionable for GM/coaches to belittle analytics then. Now? I think you would find it difficult to find employment if you aren't well-versed with analytics.

I normally form my opinions based on my eyes (25%), analytics (60%), and "expert" opinions (15%). Football God has been kind to me, as I have full access to analytics site for free.

 

[CouchLogic]

Honestly, I couldn't give two $#!+$.

But I do find it humorous when people with opinions opine about things they have no idea about. Most sports "reporters" do this on a regular.

Cracks me TF up.

 

[CouchLogic]

I care 4000X more what the people around HERE think about the team/current team/past team/etc than I ever will about whoever's hatin' of the day. There's a bunch of smart people on .net and I appreciate being a part of it.

Exactly this.

I may not agree with everyone all-the-time, but I respect everyone's contributions to this site.

 

[GemCity]

I typically don’t care. I’m definitely a die hard fan but I also realize that there’s only one Super Bowl each season.

I’ve been a fan forever and although I’m from the Midwest, there’s always been an ‘aura’ surrounding the Hawks.

I’m surrounded by Bengal and Stealers fans…which doesn’t create any conflict with them being AFC and all. I do root for the Bengals unless they play us…but it’s not the same.

We’re definitely slept on…and as mentioned, poor journalism is usually the cause of it.