It’s hard to believe that only seven days ago, the Seattle Seahawks were preparing to play in Super Bowl 48. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of change. The Seahawks destroyed the Broncos 43 – 8 and are World Champions, linebacker Malcolm Smith (#53) is a Super Bowl MVP, the Lombardi trophy is housed at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, and a parade for the ages went down 4th Avenue with over 700,000 people in attendance.
The Super Bowl Parade
CC image courtesy of Adam the Alien on Flickr
Offense Sells Tickets, Defense Wins Championships
How many times did you hear from non-Seahawks fans that the Super Bowl was a boring game? Were they paying attention? It was far from boring. There was a safety, a pick six interception, a kickoff return touchdown, along with some great tackle busting plays by the Seahawks “pedestrian” wide receivers which led to touchdowns. Not to mention all of the bone crushing hits by the Seahawks defense on the Broncos.
Many people in the national media and public opinion didn’t believe the Hawks defense had a chance to slow down the best offense to ever play the game. Once again, the Hawks proved them wrong with a suffocating defensive performance and punk’d the Broncos on the world’s biggest stage. I would argue it was the greatest defensive showing ever in a Super Bowl.
It may have also been one of the loudest Super Bowl ever. The 12th Man represented well in Met Life Stadium. It was apparent on the television broadcast there was a large contingent of 12’s due to the chants of “SEA-HAWKS!” and “L.O.B!”. Peyton Manning said the reason they bobbled the snap on the first play, which led to a safety, was due to the crowd noise. If you attended the game, you deserve major props.
As a Seahawk fan, the game itself was awesome! After all of the close games we sat through this season, the total domination we witnessed was orgasmic. There was a lot of high fives and celebratory screams throughout the game. The team was firing on all cylinders; defense, offense, and special teams. Pete Carroll knows how to focus a team.
What does this win mean for this franchise and fanbase? The children and kids who have followed this team this season have ensured future generations of 12’s. The bandwagon has filled up with people in the Northwest who have never paid attention to this team. Some of them will fall off the wagon, but some will turn into loyal 12’s.
“Google that!” ~ Doug Baldwin
CC image courtesy of Anthony Quintano on Flickr
In Seahawks lore, heroes were made and legends were born this past Sunday. Those heroes are Malcolm Smith, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (#15), wide receiver Doug Baldwin (#89), wide receiver Percy Harvin (#11), and defensive end Cliff Avril (#56). Twenty years from now, head coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Russell Wilson (#3), strong safety Kameron Chancellor (#31), free safety Earl Thomas (#29), and running back Marshawn Lynch (#24) will be revered by the current and up and coming generation of 12s as legends. 12s who were in their teens or early 20’s, will by then be in their 30’s and 40’s, and wearing throwback jerseys of Lynch and Thomas. Reminiscent to 12’s of the same age today wearing Steve Largent (#80) jerseys.
Not only will these players be canonized, but so will the plays. The biggest play of all will be “The Tip” by Sherman and interception by Smith to win the NFC Championship game over the 49ers in dramatic fashion. We are guaranteed to see that play over and over again on ESPN SportsCenter and the NFL Network.
Twenty years from now, these heroes and legends will return to Seahawks Stadium to raise the 12th Man flag, see their names enshrined into the Ring of Honor, and maybe even witness their jersey number being retired.
