Note: I’ve been off the blog grid lately, aside from Friday Fictioneers (which I’m late for this week!). Too much on my plate, juggling some big stuff, and figuring out how to make my blog and Huffington Post co-exist with out driving myself crazy. Lots of drafts, in the gray room… but getting them on-line is another thing. Oh, and I’ve been cleaning my office… so there’s that.
This piece is also featured in Huffington Post this week. If you have any thoughts, please drop by and leave a comment, share or like. It’s great to have my work supported when they publish it. Thanks! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dawn-q-landau/patriot-or-12-either-way-_b_6588266.html
I should start by saying: I’m not a football fan. It’s only fair to say that first. So don’t fill the comments with that observation; I’m owning that fact up front. However, I’m a homie fan: I love where I live, and I love local pride. I live an hour north of Seattle, in one of the most beautiful places you can find– anywhere, and I’m not shy about tooting that horn. While I’m not generally a football fan, I notice when the home team, the Seattle Seahawks, is front, and regardless of who’s playing, I watch the Superbowl each year. Still, even that is tainted by the fact that I’m mostly in it for the food, friends and fun. And the half-time show; there’s that.
Unless you are even more uninformed than me, then you probably know about Seattle’s infamous #12– The “12th MAN,” the amazing Seahawks fans. Yes, in Seattle the fans are so revered, so beloved, so totally over the top, that they have their own number– known as the 12th man: #12. So influential are the Seahawk fans, that on December 15, 1984, Seahawks’ President, Mike McCormack retired the #12 jersey forever, as a tribute to “the best fans in the NFL.”
(WA Transit workers decorated this local bus– on their own time. Photo © Mike Lince, with permission)
It’s not just that Seattle’s fans are enthusiastic or supportive; lots of cities can claim the same. And again, I’m not that fan– this has all been a learning process for me since moving to the Seattle area in 2011. No, it’s not just passion; Seahawk fans have become quite famous for being… loud– very, very loud. It’s a daunting thing for any opposing team to face the Hawks on home turf. How loud are they? Seahawk fans are so loud that on December 2, 2013 at CenturyLink Field, they registered a 137.6-decibel reading– that is the 2nd loudest recording anywhere, in history. History! For reference, the eardrum ruptures at 150 decibels. On December 8, 2011, Seahawks fans literally made the earth shake during the NFL playoff game– when Marshawn Lynch made an epic 67-yard touchdown run. It’s not called Beast Quake for nothing; these fans earned that #12.
(Forget wine country, this is Seahawks country!)
So let me say for the record: it’s hard to move to Seattle and not be a Seahawks Fan. When you live here, the #12 is everywhere! However, tonight when I ran to our local market to pick up a few things, my head was elsewhere: I had guests waiting at home; I was in a rush. I got as far as the produce and something tickled my attention. I couldn’t place it right away, but things took on a movie-like feel when I began to realize that I was pretty much the only one in the store that was not wearing blue and green Hawks gear. By chance, I had on just-the-right-blue shirt– and let me tell you, it probably saved me. Everywhere I looked, there were Seahawk jerseys, scarves, hats, smiles… and that’s just the customers! The entire store was decked out in blue and green decorations, banners, displays and products re-packaged for game day. Not just any game day, but Super Bowl Sunday, when the Seahawks will play the Patriots for best in the league.
(And if you think that milk got like that by chance, you don’t know Seahawk Fans)
Did I mention: I’m from Boston? Yes, I’m that girl: loud, brash, wicked ballsy– and please spare me the deflated ball jokes. I have heard more about balls in the past two weeks than anyone should have to suffer, simply because I’ve made no secret of my Boston roots. While I may not be a huge football fan, I grew up in Boston, went to college there, and let me be clear about this: you can take the girl out of Boston, but you can’t take the “wicked local” out of the girl. As the world saw after the Boston Marathon bombing, we are a tight community, and not like many other places. I am fiercely proud of my home town and where I come from– even if I now live nearly 4,000 miles west of there.
(There was Seahawk swagger blocking every aisle!)
This presents a bit of dilemma for me on Super Bowl Sunday. Like I said, generally I’m in it for friends, food and fun… and if I’m honest, the food usually is the main draw. But this year is different; it’s my hometown homies against my adopted homies. Our dinner guest tonight, John, said to me: “I know you love Boston; I really do, but deep down, I know you love Seattle a little more. You’ll be #12 tomorrow.” We laughed, but honestly, I couldn’t say yes.
I do love Seattle– in fact, I’ve never been happier, anywhere else. The people are amazing; the natural wilderness here is unbelievable, and yes, the Seahawks are the bomb! But, and, Johnny, this is a big but: I love Boston too; it’s in my blood– it’s where I’m from. The Patriots were part of every Thanksgiving when I was a kid, and my entire family and all of my hometown friends are die-hard fans. Die. Hard. Patriot fans can give even #12 a run for it’s money in the loud and ballsy department. Yeah, balls;I said it– because Bostonians don’t shy away from an issue, and we’re the first ones to find something to laugh about. If you haven’t seen the plethora of hilarious videos about the deflated balls, start with the Jimmy Kimmel one, featuring famous Bostonian’s Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, as well as several other “fans.” It’s pure Boston.
And no one can tell me that my cousins Ben and Jack wouldn’t give any #12 a run for their money! Playing on an epic (25′ tall) snow pile built in Barnstable, MA by friends.
It’s this simple: I love both.
While Seahawks’ blue and green looks a little better with my red hair, the Pat’s blue and silver is a smidge sexier and easier to accessorize. I can’t choose! So this Sunday, I’ll be on the fence– and I’m prepared to get splinters, as both sides try to pull me off. No matter how it goes, it’s win-win for me. I get to eat nachos; be with great friends, and either way: my homies win! (And, I’ve got tweezers in my purse, for the splinters)
If you’re not a Pat’s or a Seahawks’ fan, I’m sorry your team missed this. But for the sake of betting pools everywhere: who are you going to root for? Share your comments below.
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
You’re in a pickle, no doubt. 🙂 My brother lives in Seattle, and he and his wife are big football fans, especially his wife who likes to text my husband smack talk during Fantasy Football. My husband and oldest son get just as into it. Me? I’m left wondering what all the fuss is about. So tonight I’ll just watch Major Crimes or one of my other favorite shows in the other room…
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I used to be that girl– watching in the other room, or reading upstairs. The past couple of Super Bowls I’ve really enjoyed the gatherings. Yes, I know, Carrie… not your thing. 😉
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I’m not a fan either but you make a great case for watching. My husband says he’s for the Seahawks bc since it’s a NFL team the stock market goes up if a NFL team wins the Super Bowl. Apparently that’s been documented. So a Seahawks win is good for the economy too. Go figure. Enjoy.
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If my home team can help the economy too… well then there’s nachos and state of the union to consider too! Either way, this is bound to be an epic game, Lisa!
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Honestly, I think I’ll enjoy the game more since the Broncos are not in it! No angst. But, having lived in Boston for three years earlier in my life, I gotta say, I have to root for the Patriots, even if I do think Belichik is probably a sociopathic cheat! There! I said it! Enjoy your party tonight, Dawn.
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“I’m rubbah, yorah glue, whatevah you say rubs off the Pats and sticks to you!” Sorry, Cathy… it’s just how we play it back home. 😉
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I’m in the same boat. Born and raised in Beantown, but have lived here and am raising my family here since 1999. My son has only known Seattle teams, so he is a die hard Seahawks fan. In fact, Friday was Seahawks spirit day at school, so everyone was sporting all their swag. As we are not a sports family in general, we have not been following either team. But I have to say, watching the comeback 2 weeks ago at the conference championship was amazing. No matter how things end up, I will feel that “my” team won. But the vote around here is definitely leaning toward the Hawks. Game on!
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No doubt, I may be on the fence, Sue, but you can be damned sure that my Hawk friends (ever. single. person. in the room!) will be razzing me for the entire game. I’m bound to get splinters! 😉
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GO Hawks!
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❤
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Go Pats! Go Hawks!
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Dawn, I get the ‘homey’ thing. I was born and raised in Seattle, and it doesn’t matter where in this country or in the world I have traveled. Eventually, I found myself longing for the Pacific Northwest – clean air, tap water that tastes better than most bottled water, spectacular vistas, and a diversity of habitat that includes wilderness coastline, rain forest, desert, wine country and one the most prolific farming regions in the world. The Seahawks may or may not win, but there are few places to live on the planet as fine as this, and our team is just a symbol of our rabid pride.
That having been said, I would only add — Go Seahawks!! – Mike
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Well, my dear, you know I agree with nearly every word. Nearly. 😉 Go Pats! Go Hawks!
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Pingback: This Superbowl, Either Way It’s Win-Win… And About Those Balls. | ugiridharaprasad
Thanks for sharing my work!
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I’m in India, Dawn. and it’s cricket, cricket, cricket here. Most people probably don’t even understand American football. 🙂 — Suzanne
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And most people here have no idea what cricket is… let alone how it’s played! 😉 Thanks, Suzanne!
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Having just been in Seattle for a normal game and being overwhelmed by the hype of that, I can imagine how all-encompassing this Super Bowl game must have been. Congratulations, Dawn. You had to be on the winning side! Australia has just come out of the Asian Cup (soccer) Fever – we won and yelled ourselves hoarse from the stand. The atmosphere, the food, the fun with friends all makes the whole experience exciting. I love that your post is also about the idea of home and belonging. Great post, Dawn.
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Thanks Karen. Honestly, it was a really hard game to watch. I will always be a Bostonian, but my heart is in Seattle now for sure. I wasn’t as happy for the Pats as I thought I’d be, but I also felt torn rooting for either! It was an amazing game for sure!! We silly Americans don’t even know that there is an Asia Cup… though my youngest son would argue differently. He’s a true footbal/ soccer fan!! Thanks for stopping by.
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Go Pats!! And now, onto my Sox. Spring training right around the corner 🙂
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And what an amazing game it was!!
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You always have the best anecdotes. I have to admit, I was rooting hard for the Seahawks but I can definitely appreciate the pull of your heart strings to both teams! I love it!
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Thanks so much xsoulxonfirex! Honestly, it was hard for me to get fully excited about either… but, the Seahawks really pull at me! It was a stunning game for sure! Thanks for your lovely feedback. 🙂
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My husband has been a Seahawks since forever. My family is 49ers all the way and were pissed, of course, that the Seahawks made it to the Super Bowl. I didn’t even watch most of it, and it was a good one! I’m a little sad about that, but I’ll survive. Like you, I don’t really watch football. It takes so much time, you know. I’ll bet you had a great time with friends and that’s probably the most important thing!
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The time with friends is always the best part, Amy! Much of the game was a little boring, honestly… it looked so good for a while, but man did it turn. Those last couple of minutes were EPIC!
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I’m so bummed I missed THAT part! Next time…
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I am a fan, but not of any one place. When I lived in Dallas (back in the 60s), the Cowboys won the super bowl. When i lived in DC, the Washington Football team (notice I didn’t say their old name) won, when I lived in the bay area in the 1990’s the 49ers and the Giants won. When I lived in St. Louis in the 2000’s both the Rams and the Cardinals won. And now we are back in the bay area and the Giants have won a lot. I root for where I am living at the moment. Does that make me a fair-weather fan?
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Does it matter what it makes you?? Sounds like you’re good luck for the local team, Heidi! We should have invited you to the Super Bowl party! 😉
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