Why Do We Care?

[Atradees]

We were a team couldn't stop the run or the pass. We couldn't throw or run. And then just a little peice of light began to shine through. The changes started coming in waves like they needed to. We are a riddle. We are an enigma. But seattle fans know there is something special brewing here.

 

[toffee]

We were a team couldn't not stop the run or the pass.

From .NET:
That was Pete Carroll, our defense is top 10 under our new coach, who is a genius.

We couldn't throw or run.

That was Geno Smith, our new QBs, Darnold and Lock are better. Our new OC knows the run games.

 

[uncle fester]

To the original point, I think a deeper part of fandom relates to basic territorial reflexes in our DNA. This is our chosen territory, the media ‘hot take’ comes in to our territory and does something to spoil it. We react accordingly.

I don’t think it’s massively different from someone cutting in line in front of you at a store or on the road - we were happy a minute ago and now we’re annoyed. Territory.

It’s also vaguely related to stuff we own. Bought a new car/cell phone/ gadget? Here’s a random internet opinion about why you should’ve bought the other option over here - we’ve staked our claim, we don’t want to hear about what the other options were.

 

[Appyhawk]

Things look different when you are committed. I always have a hard time committing to habaneros.
It is hard to believe actual training camp starts in about a month. That is what makes OTAs so important.

 

[Seahawks Guy]

If we didn't care what other people think, we wouldn't be members of a Seahawks discussion forum in the first place.

 

[Jac]

To the original point, I think a deeper part of fandom relates to basic territorial reflexes in our DNA. This is our chosen territory, the media ‘hot take’ comes in to our territory and does something to spoil it. We react accordingly.

I don’t think it’s massively different from someone cutting in line in front of you at a store or on the road - we were happy a minute ago and now we’re annoyed. Territory.

It’s also vaguely related to stuff we own. Bought a new car/cell phone/ gadget? Here’s a random internet opinion about why you should’ve bought the other option over here - we’ve staked our claim, we don’t want to hear about what the other options were.

We also can't respond to the lazy or biased (e.g., Prisco) media hot takes. We just have to sit back and "take it", and that's a pretty frustrating dynamic.

 

[Hawkstorian]

I don't 'care' in the sense that it never bothers me what outside opinions are of our team. Aways remember that sports is a business with lots of folks getting paid to do their part, including local beat writers (most of ours are pretty damn good right now) and the national folks. The local guys know our team better than anyone, and give important insights based on what they see on a daily basis. The national guys mostly just talk to agents and can't possible know all that's going on, especially if they're doing radio shows and having to cover multiple sports. How we get mad at them for not understanding all the nuances of the Seahawks is kind of silly.

I am interested, however, because when you skim the national perspective, you get a pretty good idea of where we're viewed in relation to the rest of the league, and you have to admit that on a macro level, they're usually not far off. The most objective perspective on our expectations is the betting lines, right?

So right now, the macro perspective is the Seahawks will be an average to below average team in 2025. Of course that means absolute nothing once the games are played, yet here we are in the off-season with nothing else to discuss. You may not like it, but no reason to get upset about it.

 

[Runscott]

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.

I think you have stated things perfectly.

I grew up in Texas but moved to Seattle in 2006 and have been a Seahawks fan since Day 1. Same for the Mariners. I lived in Atlanta from 1994-2006 and hated the Falcons and the Braves the entire time I was there. It never made sense to me why I despised the Braves, but it had to be the media and the fans. Also, when a team is not winning but the fans are still behind them (well, the Seahawks were pretty good in '06), and the walk to the stadium is a mile and a half through downtown, with beer, etc., all along the way - how can you not become a fan?

Having said all that, like you, I've developed the attitude you describe in your first paragraph - I listen to a lot of it (and enjoy listening), but the opinions of the media aren't that important to me - most of it is being said by people who were still a long way from being born when I first started following sports in 1964. Another reason their opinions aren't important to me is that, other than insider information some have access to, I feel like my opinions are just as valid as theirs. I think we have a better chance with Darnold and Milroe, than with Geno, even though I liked Geno. I think Kupp was a good addition. I think we had a great draft. I think MacDonald could be a great coach. The opinions you guys have are just as likely to influence my thinking as anything the media says, but ultimately it's all a minor mystery that will continue to unfold in front of us.

 

[oldhawkfan]

If we didn't care what other people think, we wouldn't be members of a Seahawks discussion forum in the first place.

How does discussing the team equate to caring what other people think? I kind of get what you’re saying but I don’t really think talking Seahawks is the same as caring what other people think.

 

[Seahawks Guy]

How does discussing the team equate to caring what other people think? I kind of get what you’re saying but I don’t really think talking Seahawks is the same as caring what other people think.

To care is to feel concern or interest. If you are reading posts on this board, and engaging in conversation, I assume it's because you have an interest in the thoughts that others are sharing and discussing.

 

[Madrid Hawk]

I don't care about what the media has to say.

I *do* care when bias, whether conscious or subconscious, leaks onto the field and affects the outcome of the game.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

What media types say has ZERO impact on the game.

 

[Ostatehawk]

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.

100% This last sentence.

I don't imagine that too many of us here at .NET would run our yaps (x team Sucks or some such) at some random guy wearing a competitors jersey. If they were at a Seahawks game and were being obnoxious...well that is more likely especially if said team was actually sucking. But just randomly at a stop light or at Target or whatever. Nah.

For me when I see someone wearing say a niners jersey (or whatever other representation of a poor life choice someone made) - I just internalize that they are a mis-guided fool and go on about my day. Sometimes I will give them a sad smile - trying to emote that I feel sorry for them.

 

[Ostatehawk]

Exactly this.

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

As the creator of the "Single men should not own cats" thread.......I thank you for your support.

 

[Kamcussionator]

I care what others say about my team in that I am always interested in more information or perspectives on things I'm interested in. But at the same time, I don't get upset if the perspective is bad. I do get annoyed if the perspective is uninformed though, and that tends to be a lot of the national/east coast pundits.

So yeah, for the last 20 preseasons and the next 20 seasons the Dallas Cowboys will be a playoff team and we will not. Part of the fun for me is watching the Skip Baylesses of the world make excuses for their lame teams and begrudgingly dole out our flowers one-by-one.

I am relieved our W/L didn't drop off too bad when Pete left, and I'm confident MM will keep us a perennial playoff team. Because ultimately, you are who your record says you are. And I like being one of the best.

Go Hawks!

 

[chris98251]

 

[Appyhawk]

The SIXTH TIEBREAKER was the difference between Rams and Seahawks for division title last year. But the Rams are touted as a top tier team and the Seahawks are bottom third of the league?
Experts? I ain't buying that kind of expertise.
Lets PLAY!

 

[sutz]

We all seek out that confirmation bias, and look for anything that supports our guys.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

I don’t care what any one of them thinks, but their consensus opinion is worth something. They can look at a team with a more objective attitude. Diehard. fans are more emotional and, therefore, more inclined toward more excessive optimism or pessimism than facts warrant. You see it all the time around here.

Right now, I am going through it more with the Bears than the Seahawk. I can’t believe the odds are at 8.5 wins for Bears. We are going to win at least 10 games, damn it!

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Embrace the hate. It's more fun.