202_IV_3rdRenton

Seahawks special section

The meaning of 12

They paint their faces, scream for their team and proudly wear their colors

They are the 12th Man

RENTON .com

REPORTER

Renton Reporter • August 7, 2009

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August 7, 2009 www.rentonreporter.com

more than just fans...

What’s inside: Page 2 - An introduction to the special section and what it was like to work with Seahawkers Page 3 - An introduction to some of the big additions to the Seahawks this offseason: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Aaron Curry, Deon Butler and Ken Lucas Page 4 - A column covering Adam McFadden’s 2009 Seahawks season predictions Page 6-7 - Superfan profiles

Page 10 - 2009 schedule and bio on new head coach Jim Mora Publisher - Ellen Morrison Section editor - Adam McFadden

Four members of Seahawkers SoCo stand behind a table of Seahawks memorabilia at Touchdowns in Renton. From left to right: Hawkfiend (Bryan Murphy), Mrs. Cowbell (Nancy Campbell), Cowbell Dude (Jimbo Sabado) and Charro Hawk (Efrain Lopez). ADAM MCFADDEN, Renton Reporter

Seahawkers putting the fanatic back in fan

BY ADAM MCFADDEN amcfadden@rentonreporter.com

A

nd I thought I was a big fan. Washington State Cougars, Philadelphia Eagles, and yes, Seattle Seahawks,

my sports allegiances run deep. But they are nothing compared to the group of Seahawks superfans that make up the very core of the 12th Man. I’m talking about the fans who begin tailgating at 5:30 a.m. as Nancy

Campbell does. The fans that tattoo images of Seahawks up and down their legs, like Bryan Murphy does.

The fans who morph from 65,000 to one on gameday, focused on rattling the brains of opposing players.

These people are involved, devoted and a little bit crazy.

Last year our Seahawks special section focused on the brand new Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

This season, it seemed like a natural fit to focus on the very thing that makes sports go: fans. This was especially easy since the Seahawks have such a faithful (and loud) following.

I interviewed five of the biggest fans I could find in the area, Murphy (Hawkfiend), Efrain Lopez (Charro Hawk), Chris Johnson (WeeHawk), Jimbo Sabado (Cowbell Dude) and Campbell (Mrs. Cowbell). These are people you may have seen, or more likely heard, at games. Their profiles are on pages six and seven of this section.

It was fun getting to know them as we spoke, and I was struck by three big similarities in all five of the fans I interviewed.

First, they all suffer from severe indecision. When you ask one of them to pick a favorite Seahawk, that is. Trying to get a “maybe Lofa Tatupu, no wait, Darryl Tapp, no wait...” was akin to prying a man hole cover off with a toothbrush – it wasn’t working. Murphy may have said it best (after refusing to give an answer): “That’s like asking which is my favorite daughter.”

These fans couldn’t pick one player because they love all the Seahawks too much. It’s as simple as that, yet it took me a couple of interviews to grasp it.

Second, it is crystal clear what the [ more FANS page 9 ]

T.J.

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August 7, 2009 www.rentonreporter.com

Houshmandzadeh

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While not always mentioned among the best NFL wide receivers, T.J. Houshmandzadeh has certainly been one of the league's most productive receivers in recent seasons. Houshmandzadeh hasn't finished lower than T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle Seahawks seventh in the NFL in receptions since 2005 and has averaged 98 catches per season during the past three years. He tied with New England's Wes Welker for the league lead in catches in 2007, with 112. He's averaged 1,043 yards and 8.3 touchdowns per season the past three years.

aaron curry

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Considered one of the best prospects available in this year’s NFL draft, Aaron Curry should make an immediate impact on defense for the Seahawks. Curry averaged nearly 94 tackles per year in his final three seasons at Wake Forest.

Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks He totaled nine sacks, five forced fumbles and six interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) in his career as a Demon Deacon. Curry won the Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker after his senior year.

A quick look at some of your new Seahawks...

It’s rare that an NFL team can go 4-12, then undergo few roster changes and be expected to field a winning team the next season. But that is exactly the Seahawks’ situation.

Injuries caused the 2008 season to swirl around, while underachievements flushed it completely down the drain.

deon butler

Wide receiver figures to be one of the biggest positions of change from last season. Seattle signed free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh with hopes he can carry his production to the Northwest.

The team also drafted speedster Deon Butler and don’t forget the truckload of injured stars returning. That includes

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Seattle hopes the speedy Deon Butler will bring a new dimension to an offense that sagged under the weight of injuries last season.

Butler contributed as soon as he touched the field at Penn State, topping 630 receiving yards all Deon Butler, Seattle Seahawks four years. He totaled 22 touchdowns in his career and exemplified ‘big play’ with his final regular-season college game against Michigan State. Butler totaled three catches for 133 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

Nate Burleson and Deion Branch.

On defense, the team flirted with losing linebacker Leroy Hill but resigned him. After a trade of Julian Peterson and the drafting of Aaron Curry, the linebacker group could develop into one of the league’s best.

Peterson has good years left, but Cur-

ken

lucas

ry should be better long-term.

Ken Lucas should start at cornerback opposite Marcus Trufant. He will provide some stability starting, where Kelly Jennings hasn’t thrived. Jennings and Josh Wilson give the team good depth at the position.

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In adding Ken Lucas, the Seahawks added a familiar face to their defensive backfield. Lucas played his first four NFL seasons with Seattle before moving on to the Carolina Panthers for four years. Lucas is durable (started all Ken Lucas, Seattle Seahawks 16 games each of past two years), effective (averaged three interceptions per year over career) and brings more veteran savvy to the Seahawks’ backfield. Lucas should start alongside star cornerback Marcus Trufant.

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Looking ahead, how will the Seahawks’ season shake out?

Week 1 vs. St. Louis Rams Marc Bulger is still at quarterback, but he hasn’t been good since 2006. There isn’t much experience at wide receiver, though second-year man Donnie Avery is talented and fast. The offense will revolve around running back Steven Jackson.

Expect the Seahawks to limit Jackson’s damage and get to Bulger before he can find his inexperienced wide receivers downfield too many times.

The Rams don’t have a great defense, but there are good players present. Adam Carriker, Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Oshiomogho Atogwe are getting better.

Verdict - Seahawks win, but it’s not a blowout. Record - 1-0 Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers Neither Shaun Hill or Alex Smith at quarterback is too scary for Seattle’s defense, while running back Frank Gore should be.

This early in the season, rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree might not have much to offer as he adjusts from his very different college system to the NFL.

Adam McFadden

Predicting the NFL season can be tough.

With only 16 regular-season games, the smallest bounce either way can have huge consequences. That said, here is my attempt to reason with the Seahawks’ 2009 schedule:

San Francisco’s defense in a nutshell: Defensive line just O.K.; linebackers good mix of veteran and youth; secondary has a few strong veterans.

Verdict - Seahawks win, this game even closer than Week 1. Record - 2-0

From My Side

BY ADAM MCFADDEN amcfadden@rentonreporter.com

Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears The biggest variable in this game is how quickly new quarterback Jay Cutler develops with the rest of the offense. My guess: The Bears will be primed and ready.

Chicago has talented targets in tight end Greg Olsen and running back Matt Forte that make up for what could be an enigmatic group of wide receivers.

The defense remains talented and another year older.

Verdict - The Bears move the ball well and take this one. Record - 2-1 Week 4 at Indianapolis Colts There was a ton of turnover in the Colts’ coaching staff in the offseason and quarterback Peyton Manning made it known he wasn’t happy with the way things progressed. Even so, Manning with wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez should mix for a passing game that is at least efficient, if not prolific.

Joseph Addai had a down year but should rebound if his off-season knee surgery doesn’t slow down his warm-up to

Have your own ideas?

FYI

Think you can make better predictions for the Seahawks’ 2009 season? Send your predictions and insights to amcfadden@rentonreporter.com

the season.

Defensive stars Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders remain.

Verdict - If this game was in Seattle, I’d give it to the Seahawks, but the Colts win in Indy. Record - 2-2 Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew are the makings of a good offense, but the Jags still lack wide receivers. Torry Holt will help, but he’s not an ideal No. 1 option at this point.

I also think the team will miss Fred Taylor at running back more than most do.

Jones-Drew is dynamic, but Taylor was a steady presence in the backfield.

The defense doesn’t scare me, though there are playmakers in the secondary with Rashean Mathis and Reggie Nelson.

Verdict - The Seahawks bounce back from two straight losses to win this game at home. Record - 3-2 Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals This is a statement game, either way it ends. Will the Seahawks put the Cardinals back in their place and resume their role as NFC West leaders? Or will the Cardinals win and complete the changing of the

guard?

The same pieces are back with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. This team will pass for a lot of yards.

The Seahawks need to be on their offensive game in this one because Arizona has an underrated defense.

Verdict - The Cardinals come into the season overrated because of their amazing postseason run. The fact is the team went 9-7 in the regular season and showed flaws.

I like the Seahawks. Record - 4-2 Week 7 Bye Week 8 at Dallas Cowboys Minus one huge distraction in Terrell Owens and unrealistic preseason hype, I like the Cowboys to be really good this season.

With Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Jason Witten and Roy Williams, Dallas will score points against Seattle.

The Cowboys’ strong defense up front should make for a long day for Julius Jones and Matt Hasselbeck. But if Hasselbeck can get time to work in the pocket, I like him and the Seahawks savvy receivers against the Cowboys’ secondary.

Verdict - The Cowboys win, but the Seahawks aren’t pushovers. Record - 4-3 Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions The Lions have good young offensive players in running back Kevin Smith and [ more PREDICTIONS page 8 ]

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Will the Seahawks return to the playoffs?

Verdict - The matchups aren’t good for Seattle and Houston wins. Record - 8-5 Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers I think the loss of linebacker Derrick Brooks will hurt this team a lot. He was the leader for a long time.

The offense has good weapons with Kellen Winslow, Antonio Bryant and Derrick Ward, but who will throw the ball?

Verdict - The Seahawks should be able to take this one. Record - 9-5

[ PREDICTIONS from page 4 ]

wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Will the quarterback be past-his-prime Daunte Culpepper or too-young Matthew Stafford?

Does it matter?

Johnson provides a matchup problem for the Seahawks because he’s big, but the Lions don’t have a great offensive line to give the quarterback time to find him.

Detroit doesn’t have much on defense, except ex-Seahawk Julian Peterson.

Verdict - Seahawks wins fairly easily. I’d expect the noisy crowd to make things nearly impossible for Stafford if he were to start. Record - 5-3

Week 10 at Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals might find things a little bit easier in their home stadium this time around.

Verdict - Arizona gets revenge with a win.

Record - 5-4

Week 11 at Minnesota Vikings The strength of the Vikings should be in stopping the run and running with Adrian Peterson.

Quarterback remains a big question, so the team could struggle with balance again.

The Seahawks won’t find much room to run with no speed threat and the Vikings stacked inside on the defensive line. Hasselbeck should be able to throw in this secondary, though.

Verdict - Peterson will likely have a big

August 7, 2009 www.rentonreporter.com

The Seahawks offense runs through a play in at a spring practice. Tight end John Carlson, who led the team in receptions last season, moves in motion before the snap. ADAM MCFADDEN, Renton Reporter day but the Seahawks overcome to ge the win. Record - 6-4 Week 12 at St. Louis Rams The Rams will be better at this point in the season, but not enough to take out the Seahawks.

Verdict - Seattle takes another from the Rams. Record - 7-4 Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers This team is a bit of a wildcard. If Frank Gore can stay healthy, Shaun Hill or Alex Smith steps up to be a starter, or Crabtree becomes an impact receiver the offense

could be good.

The defense, behind Patrick Willis, could improve rapidly.

Verdict - The 49ers give the Seahawks a scare at home, but it’s not quite enough.

Record - 8-4 Week 14 at Houston Texans The Texans’ offense has a chance to be very good. Houston’s pair of 6-foot-3 receivers (Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter) could pose big problems for Seattle’s smaller secondary.

Look for speedy defensive end Mario Williams to find Hasselbeck once or twice.

Week 16 at Green Bay Packers With Aaron Rodgers being a bit more comfortable in his second full season as a starter, I expect the Packers’ passing game to be strong.

The defense is hard to read at this point because it largely depends on how Aaron Kampman transitions from defensive end to linebacker. He has totaled 37 sacks in the past three seasons, but he will be dropping back into coverage much more.

Verdict - The Packers hold down homefield advantage in a low-scoring game.

Record - 9-6 Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans Before the the season starts, this looks like your classic speed/finesse team against the powerful Titans. Tennessee will once again be running a lot with speedy Chris Johnson and hefty LenDale White.

The Titan defense makes it a long day for Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, while Hasselbeck doesn’t have quite enough to overcome a slow running game.

Verdict - Tennessee takes the game, but don’t worry: Seattle makes the playoffs!

Record - 9-7

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Fans...

[ FANS from page 2 ]

Master Sgt. Traci Williams holds WeeHawk next to WWE wrestler John Cena in Baghdad, Iraq. SUBMITTED PHOTO Seahawkers show off a sampling of their favorite Seahawks items, including autographs, cowbells and more.

ADAM MCFADDEN, Renton Reporter

possible. You kind of lose yourself in that.”

They are serious, motivated and willing to do almost anything to help their team find success.

It was also interesting to learn about the kinship between superfans of different teams around the NFL. The Seahawkers group was a little apprehensive before venturing to a Dallas away game, but Cowboys fans welcomed them with open arms.

“You’re a fan of the NFL first and the team is a close second,” Murphy said. “I’m not a fan of the Cowboys, but I respect them and I

respect their fans because I know they have the same appreciation that I do for my team.”

Big Nasty, a Tampa Bay superfan, even invited the Seahawkers group to sit and

tailgate with him when they followed the Seahawks to a Buccaneers game.

That camaraderie doesn’t extend to division-rival San Francisco 49ers though.

The 49ers fans yelled,

grabbed at Hawkfiend’s horns and threw up the “one-finger salute” in a number of photos.

“The San Francisco fans are surprisingly ruthless,” Johnson said.

One thing about Seahawk fans is they care about more than just what happens on

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spirits.

These may be some of the most visible fans out there, but without a doubt, whether you put on your Seahawks jersey on Sundays or just throw up a fist pump when the team wins, you’re all part of the 12th Man.

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the top fan moment in the Seahawks’ franchise is: the 2005 NFC Championship game win against the Carolina Panthers. Each answered without hesitation, and with great conviction, that the 2005 game was their favorite Seahawk moment.

Sabado has a picture of himself with three friends from the game and he said it still brings back vivid memories from the win.

“All the confetti was falling down,” he said. “It’s the sort of thing where the hair on the back of your head stands up and you get goosebumps.”

Third, they all take the responsibility of being part of the 12th Man very seriously.

“I feel like I have a job to do,” Murphy said of being in the fan section during games. “That’s kind of the thing about the 12th Man, that we’re all individuals and some of us stand out, but we’re a group, we’re an entity at that point. You have a job to do; it’s to make noise at the right times and help the team as much as

the field.

The SoCo chapter does many different charity events, one raised over $15,000 for Big Lo (“Seattle’s Biggest Sports Fan”) to help with his medical costs related to diabetes.

Johnson sent WeeHawk to Baghdad with a postcard featuring the Sea Gals to visit with troops and boost

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Ticket information

2009 schedule Week 7 - Bye

Preseason at San Diego

at Dallas

vs. Denver

vs. Detroit

at Kansas City

at Arizona

Aug. 15, 7 p.m.

Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 29, 5 p.m.

vs. Oakland Sept. 3, 7 p.m.

Regular season

Nov. 1, 10 a.m.

Nov. 8, 1:05 p.m.

Nov. 15, 1:15 p.m.

at Minnesota Nov. 22, 10 a.m.

at St. Louis Nov. 29, 10 a.m.

vs. St. Louis

Sept. 13, 1:15 p.m.

vs. San Francisco Dec. 6, 1:15 p.m.

at San Francisco Sept. 20, 1:05 p.m.

at Houston

Dec. 13, 10 a.m.

vs. Chicago

Sept. 27, 1:05 p.m.

vs. Tampa Bay at Indianapolis

Dec. 20, 1:15 p.m.

Oct. 4, 10 a.m.

at Green Bay Dec. 27, 10 a.m.

vs. Jacksonville Oct. 11, 1:15 p.m.

vs. Tennessee vs. Arizona

Oct. 18, 1:05 p.m.

August 7, 2009 www.rentonreporter.com

Jan. 3, 1:15 p.m.

Single game tickets for Seattle Seahawks 2009 games went on sale Aug. 3 and sold out.

For information about how to join Blue Pride, Seattle’s season-ticket waiting list, go to Seahawks.com.

The team has been at capacity with 61,000 season ticket holders since 2004.

The past 52 Seahawks home games have been sellouts.

Open training camp practices All open training camp practice sessions at the VMAC in Renton are full.

However, fans will still have a chance to see the Seahawks in action at the two practices at Husky Stadium.

The team will hold a pair of practices at Husky Stadium Aug. 7 and 18, each starts at 6:45 p.m.

For the two practices, registrants must drive and park at any number of lots surrounding the stadium. There will be no check-in for these practices. There is no transportation fee.

How to checkin for training camp sessions Registrants must checkin at The Seahawks Training Camp Parking and Transportation Center at The Landing. Bring photo ID to confirm registration and get camp wristbands.

Children under 16 must be with an adult and children under three do not need to be registered.

There is a $5 transportation fee. Check-in will begin about 45 minutes before the practice is scheduled to start.

All registered campgoers must park at The Landing in Renton and ride the shuttle.

Check Seahawks.com for more guidelines.

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seahawks’ superfans exemplify 12th man

hawkfiend

weehawk

soco president

It’s hard to say what is most noticeable at first glance. The bright green goatee? The dark blue monster-esque mask? Possibly the green horns. There’s a lot that sets Hawkfiend – or Bryan Murphy – apart from most fans, but the biggest thing may simply be his passion.

Not only is Murphy one of the most iconic Seahawks superfans, he’s the president of the Seahawkers SoCo chapter.

The chapter started last April and is already the biggest Seahawkers group, at 270 members. Murphy credits the chapter’s online approach (as well as memorable characters like Hawkfiend, WeeHawk and ‘Seattle’s biggest sports fan’ - Big Lo) as reasons for the rapid growth.

The “Hawkfiend” name popped up in conversation between Murphy and his tattoo guy, Cody Hart at Derm FX Tattoo in Auburn. Hart commented to Murphy: “Man you’re a fiend for those Hawks.”

The words clicked in Murphy’s head and a character was born.

Hawkfiend’s appearance has SEAHAWKERS gone through an evolution SOCO.COM over time, but Murphy found the current mask while walking through a Halloween store.

“It was all gray and I thought wouldn’t that be cool if it was all blue and had green horns,” he said. “So I bought it and painted it at home.”

Murphy’s devotion to the Seahawks is quite literally drawn out on his skin. What started with a Seahawks logo a year and a half ago has become a number of illustrations featuring some of the franchise’s best moments. One of Murphy’s legs is an homage to the 2005 NFC Championship team, featuring Shaun Alexander, Mike Holmgren and much more. Murhpy also has a “38” made out of iron for Mack Strong, Owen Schmitt smashing a helmet against his head, and much more.

So how does Murphy’s family feel about his Seahawks obsession? “My wife is the coolest

soco vp

Seahawks safety Jordan Babineaux poses with WeeHawk.

wife in the world to let me do this. She’s Mrs. Hawkfiend,” he said. “Once I got her to the games, it was all over. Now she’s a fan.”

As for his three daughters, their opinion changed after the 2005 season when the Seahawks became “the cool thing.”

“Now they realize that dad is this crazy character getting all of this recognition,” Murphy said. “Now they want to take me to show and tell and stuff.”

Tatoos cover Murphy’s legs. This one depicts, among other things, former coach Mike Holmgren, linebacker Lofa Tatupu and the 12th Man flag.

Chris Johnson, creator of WeeHawk

Lopez later met Bryan Murphy, the president of the Seahawkers SoCo chapter, at a bar, then through MySpace and other networking became close with a number of the Seahawkers. Lopez said the tightly knit group travels to two to four away games each season, usually Arizona and San Francisco (two of Seattle’s division opponents) and one bigger game farther away (Dallas, Tampa Bay, etc., in the recent past).

Murphy first tossed around the idea for the charro suit. A charro refers to a traditional horseman or cowboy of Mexico and charro suits are often worn by Mariachi bands. Lopez didn’t have any sort of a costume and since he was born in Mexico, the charro suit is a great fit. Lopez found someone in Los Angeles who makes custom charro suits. He bought five colors of suits and three sombreros,

all in combinations of blue, white and green.

“I love the charro suit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another fan in the NFL with a full-on charro suit,” Lopez said.

“It caught a lot of attention last year, a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘wows.’”

One thing’s for sure: As uniquely as Lopez stands alone in the sea of fans on game day with his charro suits, he fits in to the 12th Man perfectly.

“Everybody smiles and points at him. He just MORE ONLINE: has a way with everyWEEHAWK12.COM body, even the players,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to explain. I’m along for the ride, I guess.”

Johnson found WeeHawk about fives years ago and got him as a simple tailgating decoration. But as soon as he got home, the gears in his mind started cranking. Soon, the doll was donned WeeHawk and the journey began.

WeeHawk’s popularity, and personification, picked up steam when Johnson made him a MySpace page. Since then, WeeHawk has been in locker rooms, in the hands of Seahawks players, national radio stations and even to Baghdad.

Master Sgt. Traci Williams (president of the Military Seahawkers) took WeeHawk around into the field to visit soldiers and give them a post card featuring WeeHawk and the Seagals.

“They loved him over there,” Johnson said. “What more do you want than pretty girls and a little WeeHawk that represents Americana and football.”

As for what’s in store for the Seahawk’s smallest fan, Johnson isn’t just sure yet, “I’ve been kind of going with the flow.

Ideas just kind of come to me.”

Cowbell dude & mrs. cowbell

charro hawk For Efrain Lopez, being a Seahawks fan started the minute he stepped into the Kingdome.

Now, more than a decade later, he’s taking the word “fan” to the next level by wearing his (increasingly famous) charro suit to game after game, increasing awareness that the Seahawks’ 12th Man extends south of the border, too.

“It makes me feel proud to spread my love of the Seahawks as a multicultural game,” Lopez said. “I’m more than just a fan.”

Lopez was born in Mexico and grew up in Los Angeles, a city without a football team. When he moved to Seattle in 1997, he went to a Seahawks game at the Kingdome with his father-in-law. The game-day atmosphere hooked him right away.

“I was amazed,” he said. “I said ‘This is my team now.’”

Chris Johnson probably says it best: “My fandom reaches epic geekness every year.”

Though Johnson, who lives in Renton, is the vice president of the SoCo chapter of the Seahawkers, he may be better known for his creation: WeeHawk.

WeeHawk being the roughly 18-inch singing and dancing doll that has become so much more. Johnson may call it “epic geekness” that led to the character’s creation, but WeeHawk’s devoted following calls it something more like genius.

And what’s not to love? Whether it’s the early style Seahawks helmet featuring a punter-type, one-bar facemask. The Seahawks No. 12 jersey, or the perpetual smile, Seahawk fans are finding plenty to like about the doll.

Johnson estimates he spends three hours after every game answering fan mail for the little fan and even he has a tough time nailing down exactly what WeeHawk embodies.

Lopez shows off one of his many charro suit combinations, this one white on white.

Nancy Campbell and Jimbo Sabado have a passion for the Seahawks few can match.

They just call it Seahawks Laryngitis. Jimbo Sabado and Nancy Campbell, or Cowbell Dude and Mrs. Cowbell as they’re known by fellow fans, suffer from the condition roughly eight times a year.

“I’d rather be heard than seen at games,” Sabado said. “When you lose your voice from screaming, it’s Seahawks Laryngitis. It lasts until Wednesday or Thursday; then if there’s another home game, you blow the voice out again. It gets rough when there are three homes games in a row.”

The two take on the load of being Seahawks fans very seriously, both at home and at the field. From inflatable shoulder pads to mini-goal posts, their basement is entirely decorated with football items.

“We live, eat and breathe Seahawks,” Campbell said.

At games, the duo recognizes the importance of being really really loud.

“We take it very seriously,” Sabado said. “You’re going into a hostile envi-

WeeHawk takes in the scene at a Seahawks football game.

ronment and we create that.

That’s our responsibility, to give our defense an edge.

You get 64,000 people and the electricity and the buzz is amazing. It’s unreal, like nothing else.”

Before every home game, as a tribute to the 12th Man, the Seahawks raise the 12th Man flag. For Campbell, that’s when the game really gets going.

“It’s when the crowd really starts getting into the three hours of frenzy,” Campbell said. “It’s just an incredible moment, the beginning of the whole game.”

Helping Sabado make noise is his arsenal of personalized cowbells. He got his first cowbell in 2006.

Since then, he has painted more than 40 for charities, fellow fans and just about anyone who asks.

The cowbells Sabado and Campbell keep and use are in for a much harsher life. “I beat the snot out of them,” Sabado said.

He guessed he has gone through five bells since 2006 and the two are undeterred by the fact that cowbells aren’t technically allowed at NFL games.

One of Sabado’s cowbells shows a sizeable dent near the rim from so much noisemaking.

design & stories by adam mcfadden