The Seahawk Phenomenon

     Well, it has been quite a while hasn't it?  To kick off the 2014 revival, I'm going to throw all objectivity out the window and write something a little bit mean, and little bit accusatory.  I've even chosen to write from my blog, where I'm convinced at least 4 people will see it.  Yes, good readers, this won't be a cutesy list or something informative or funny; I'm about to call out a portion of one of the most ravenous NFL fan bases.  The good people of Eastern Washington, who will always hold a special place in my heart, are nothing more than fair-weather, bandwagon Seahawk fans. 

    

"I just wanted everyone to know, that they are mediocre fans.  Like Michael Crabtree." -Richard Sherman

 

 

     Now it may appear that I'm poking an angry hornets nest.  I am.  Maybe I'm just engaging in some pre Super Bowl smacktalk?  Yep, definitely.  Could my inflamed ego and pride as a life-long Broncos fan be a factor in this rant?  I'm going to have to go with yes.  But like the good Richard Sherman, I ask that you not judge me for showing passion in a blog.  He calls out mediocrity, and so shall I.  As he so eloquently stated, it is just a small part of who I am. 

     When I was a lad, growing up in the tumble-weed soaked prairies of Moses Lake, WA, the Seahawks were an absolute non-factor.  Admittedly, they weren't very good at the time, so it would be hard to fault a bunch of kids for not being excited about a crummy team that they've never had good memories with.  That all changed in Super XLI, when Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander led the Hawks to a Super Bowl appearance.  All of the sudden, my friends and people around me in general hopped right on the bandwagon.  This is also totally fair; it's exciting when the state team reaches a championship for the first time in your life.  Where they all crossed the line, in this author's humble opinion, is when the Hawks lost that game and faded back into mediocrity.  With a magical POOF heard all over the Cascade Valley, the Seahawks lost a bunch of fans.  Like our dear friend  Punxsutawney Phil, they retreated back into their holes for the long winter ahead.

 

 

Not Pictured:  fair-weather Seahawk Fans

 

 

     Imagine my surprise when over the last few years, all those "Seahawk Fans" and more came rushing back to get on the boat.  Realizing that their team was good again, everyone starting posting on Facebook, professing their love for their team, and acting interested.  Either they all fell asleep for six years, or they are guilty of extreme bandwagoning.

     Part of being a true fan is sticking with a team no matter what.  Allow me to get on my soapbox.  When I was a kid, my beloved Broncos won two Super Bowls.  In the sixteen years since, it's been a different story.  We've ranged from Kyle Orton-awful to good enough to compete but not to win it all, but mostly we've just been mediocre.  There have been plenty of down years and painful losses.  But you know what?  Ask anyone who knows me and they were say without hesitation that I have stuck with them through thick and thin.  And that makes this Super Bowl that much sweeter.  After years of futility, after last years absolutely heart wrenching loss, the Broncos are back in the Super Bowl and I am proud to say that I was on this ride for the last sixteen years, through good and bad.  And now we're back, and I can't wait to see what happens. 

     So to you Eastern Washington fans, I hope you stick this time.  I hope you have a lifetime ahead of you of liking Seahawks memes on Facebook and showing your Washington pride through thick and thin.  That is what it means to be a fan.  Please don't misunderstand.  Seattle obviously has a legendary fan base, deserving of their 12th man moniker.  I'm not claiming that every resident of the east is fair-weather, but you certainly know who you are because I grew up with you.

     Win or lose next Sunday, I will always and forever be a Broncos fan.  Can all of you say the same about your Seahawks?