Navy, Green, and White

Back in the day, when I called Washington my home state, I worked for radio station, KEZE Rock 106. That job was the most fun job I've ever had, and it came with a ton of cool perks, usually in the form of tickets. In any case, our radio station had a weekly football promotion that showcased the Seattle Seahawks, and since my husband was born and raised in WA, and we attended the promotion religiously, I became a fan. That was almost 30 years ago.

I was young, a newlywed, and I didn't know shhh about football, not that I do now, but I soon learned that my spouse was once the co-captain of a championship high school football team. He played fullback for the Omak Pioneers. With that kind of history, it followed that football would somehow be a part of our lives. Because I had the cool job at the radio station, it was in the form of games and events. 

Little did I know back then that the Hawks would never stack up for a Super Bowl win, and even though I hear tell that back in 2005 the Hawks lost it one time to the Steelers, I can't recall that game to save my life. This being due to the fact that I had totally and utterly given up on that heartbreaker of a team - and anyone who is a fan of the Seahawks will back me on this - until this season.

Fast forward to last year when we were invited to a fraternity brother's home for a televised Seattle game, and he asked me if I was still a fan. "I gave up on the Hawks a long time ago," I said. "I'm tired of getting my heart broken."

"Well you should watch them this season," he countered. "The Hawks could actually pull it off. Their roster is really impressive this year..."

Reluctantly, I snuck a peek at their roster, and them, and in both cases I was not disappointed. I found myself starting to believe. Then last week against the "Ain'ts," I watched as our classy team stood up to and surpassed that team of dirty players as they took out one of our best, but ultimately got crushed by my Hawks. Pride started to emulate from my midsection, as I watched our players speak words of respect towards the Saints when asked about the penalty hits they took, calling them "competitive." 

I went out and purchased a Seattle t-shirt later that week with the number 24 on it. When I wore the shirt later that day at a grocery store in suburbia California, a man in the produce isle asked me in a somewhat gruff voice why I was a Seattle fan, and I channeled the Beast Mode. I put up my straight arm like a lady saying talk to the hand. We both chuckled together in unison, as I walked on. I expect that after today I will be able to wear that shirt with pride, and perhaps a little less opposition, after today's game. If I'm lucky, my next post will be about why the Seahawks will be that team, and many more people will be wearing navy blue along with me.