A Tribute to Matt Hasselbeck & Lofa Tatupu

by Danny Kelly on Jul 31, 2011 12:53 PM PDT

It's a strange time to be a Seahawks fan. In just over a year we've seen our roster completely overhauled and remade. Two of our biggest heroes are now gone. Arguably the two most prominent faces of the franchise are no longer technically on the roster, but they'll always be Seahawks.

Matt Hasselbeck and Lofa Tatupu have moved on but both have left an indelible mark on the city, the Seahawks organization, and especially the fans.

Tats and Hass are probably my two favorite Seahawks of all time, period.

Matt Hasselbeck has been the unquestioned leader of the offense for almost a decade and Lofa Tatupu has been the field General on defense since the day he was drafted. Both players are tough, fiery and vocal. There haven't been many players on the Seahawks that can pump up the crowd better than these two so it's going to be very, very strange to go to a game and not see them on the field.

Instead of waxing poetic about them, I just wanted to share a couple of my favorite memories of the two and then open it up for commentary. These players deserve a tribute better than I'd be able to put together, but if they ever saw this I'd like for them to know how much they've meant to their fans.

First, Lofa Tatupu. It's very hard to pick out a distinct favorite memory or favorite play that Lofa made in his career here with the Seahawks but honestly my most lasting memory of him doesn't even involve him playing in the game. I will always remember the triumphant entrances he made from the lockerroom tunnel into Qwest Field, surrounded by explosions and fire, a fucking Hawk flying by, and Lofa fist pumping and gesticulating wildly while holding a 12th man flag and Bittersweet Symphony blaring through the loudspeakers.

Honest to god, it literally gives me goosebumps thinking about it right now. He's the prototypical warrior type of football player that is impossible not to love. His play was every bit as impressive, but few players were capable of pumping up the crowd as Tatupu was. I'll miss him as a Seahawk immensely.

I've got a ton of great memories of Matt Hasselbeck's great years here in Seattle, but I think, honestly, my favorite memory of all time is a bit of an obscure one. It came in 2008 during a home game against the Rams. I don't remember many details of the actual game, but I was in attendance at Qwest field when the Seahawks decided to run up the middle with Julius Jones from the Rams 29 yard line. If I remember it correctly, Jones was rebuffed at the line but bounced it back outside to the left.

At first, it didn't look like much was going to happen but Matt Hasselbeck sure seemed to see an opportunity. He waved at Jones with a "Hey, look!! Come this way!!" type of motion and headed up field to lead-block like he was Mack Strong or something. The rest was a bit of a blur as Jones made his way upfield because I was jumping up and down in excitement, but as Jones was nearing the goal line the Rams defense was closing in.

Didn't matter to Matt and he went headlong into a cut block that took out two Rams defenders and opened up a lane for Julius Jones like Moses had just parted the Red Sea. At that point I completely lost my mind in excitement and laughter and joy and ecstatic screaming and jumping and missed high fives. Here you have your starting quarterback cut blocking two Rams and taking them out like they were bowling pins. That my friends, is Matt Hasselbeck in a nutshell. He'll do anything to win, and I love him for it.

Not the best video of it, but this was all I could find.

So those are my two memories. There are many more, but those are the first two I think of when I picture Matt Hasselbeck and Lofa Tatupu as the faces of the Seahawks. They will both be missed.

Follow @FieldGulls on Twitter | Like Field Gulls on Facebook

Tweet Comment 61 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Last year I was in the Hawks Nest during the Carolina game.

Tats was running back and INT towards me, and I could see Matt running along the sideline. I later watched Matt mic’d up for that game, and he was yelling “Alofa!” (the shortened version of Lofa’s full name). It was so G to see Matt taking camaraderie to the next level.

by DJ C-Raig on Jul 31, 2011 12:58 PM PDT reply actions

BUT...my favorite Matt memory, of all time, is a picture. It isn't just my favorite Matt image, but the one that defines sports for me.

Matt plays the NFL like it’s college ball…I fucking love that.

by DJ C-Raig on Jul 31, 2011 1:00 PM PDT reply actions

It's why football players wear helmets; so they don't claw their own eyes out

by Agent_J on Jul 31, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Whenever I play a pickup game, of any sport

It always starts out with me half-jokingly saying, “we want the ball and we’re going to score.”

Even in retrospect, knowing the outcome of that game, the passion Matt displayed will never be forgotten. And I doubt he ever regretted making that statement.

by mjkleko on Jul 31, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

That reminded me of this amazing and very old school photo.

Until this lockout business ends, you'll see me as often on the links as you will on field gulls. Also-- everytime I swing the driver, I'll imagine Roger Goodell is the ball.

by Tyler Jorgensen on Jul 31, 2011 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Yep! I remember that play!

by Carl Shinyama on Jul 31, 2011 1:01 PM PDT reply actions

I never really became that attached to Matt Hasselbeck as the Seahawks quarterback, but I'm extremely grateful for everything he's done for the Seahawks

Lofa, on the other hand, is my FAVORITE Seahawk player of all time. I have three of his jerseys, and today, I’m really saddened that he’s not going to play another down for the Seahawks.

by Carl Shinyama on Jul 31, 2011 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

Same here

I appreciate what he did but I also realize he was just an above average QB who was in the right place and surrounded by a great offense to prop him up.

He was far from my favorite seahawk. I liked Tats a lot more from 05-08. But time has taken its toll.

by The Great Googly on Jul 31, 2011 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

While he probably depended on great surrounding talent in 2005

He put up career numbers in 2007 with no running game and an aged Bobby Engram as his only dependable weapon. That’s the sign of a true franchise QB: being able to put the team on his back.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Jul 31, 2011 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Favorite Tats memory.

Rocking the bejeezus out of Nick Goings (?) in the NFC Championship. Goings didn’t come back into the game. Lofa did.

by moyerLIVES on Jul 31, 2011 1:12 PM PDT reply actions

Mine is the interception against Philadelphia on MNF in the snow in 2005.

Where after he scored the TD, he boxed with the goal post.

by Carl Shinyama on Jul 31, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

KNJ tribute baby.

by DJ C-Raig on Jul 31, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Aww stop it...

..you are going to make me cry….

Confuscius say- "Baseball wrong. Man with four balls cannot walk."

by Outside Contain on Jul 31, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

NFL Films dubbed that game "The Monday Night Massacre."

OOOOOH!!!!! That was NASTY!!!!!!!!

by bmxnw on Jul 31, 2011 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Different play from that game for me

I don’t even remember all the details, just Lofa charging the line, getting doubled, putting one arm around each of those linemen and driving them about half a mile deep into the Philly backfield, snuffing the play.

by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 31, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

I loved that hit

by cthunder on Jul 31, 2011 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Lofa is my fav player of all time

..bar none. N-o-n-e… sure there have been better players, many in fact, and sure there have been several more important to the franchise but they do not come close in my book.

LofaTatupu is just the way a football player should be. Put eleven guys with his fottball persona on the field and right there is an unbeatable team if you ever saw one. Talent or tactics be damned…

Hass, well he’s just about as important a player that have played for this team and a pure joy to listen to.

Thanks guys, it was time and I hate it.

Confuscius say- "Baseball wrong. Man with four balls cannot walk."

by Outside Contain on Jul 31, 2011 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

I do not agree that it was time for Lofa

I’m not saying that’s a rational response — it’s entirely possible that if I could sit down and analyze this dispassionately, I would have to agree that PC/JS are doing the right thing for the team — and so I’m not saying this is a bad move or the wrong move, because I can’t know and don’t care. I hate dropkicking Lofa off the team, I don’t want to believe that he’s not good enough anymore, I can’t get past that, and I don’t intend to try. Not for a while, anyway.

by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 31, 2011 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions

If he had accept a pay cut

Then you would be right. But 3 straight injury plague and decline years and coming off surgery for both knees. I can definitely see why the FO wanted him to take a pay cut. He refused, so he rightfully was released. He my favorite player next to Cortez Kennedy and Jacob Green. I have his home and away jersey and I bought both my nephews Tatupu Jerseys. So sad to see him go, but like Hasselbeck it was time.

by cthunder on Jul 31, 2011 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll miss tatupu... so much...

I never had the same attachment to Hasselbeck as many others clearly did, so when he went bye-bye I was pretty okay with it. I was able to look at it rationally.

But Tatupu… That was the first jersey I ever owned. Of any team. Sure, I had those stupid crap mariners t-shirts with the numbers on the back, but those aren’t the same. His game against Philly in his rookie season was mind-blowing. Even before last year, he was on a list of the top ten middle linebackers in the NFL. And he was unique. Undersized, but he made up for it in simply knowing what was happening, making the correct reads and taking advantage of them. Like so many Fox Sports commentators who couldn’t come up with anything original, he was the "QB of the defense".

This revelation will make me treasure that final pick-six he took last year against Carolina. First year of season tix, and he has his final great defensive play (even if the pick wasn’t that impressive). I’m pretty sure it is the only interception taken to the house I’ve seen live. I could be wrong though.

Jeez, i’m tearing up here, and it hasn’t really set in yet. Tatupu is gone. My favorite Hawk since ever is gone. Weaver’s gone. Burleson’s gone. Now Tatupu. This sucks.

This is your biggest fan Tatupu. Wherever you go, I’ll be rooting for you. The 12th man will miss you. Hopefully someday we can get you back to raise our flag, and on that day, perhaps I’ll have a scream to match my 66,699 compatriots.

by Agent_J on Jul 31, 2011 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

He was like Yoda

undersized, but he sure knew what was happening…last few seasons unfortunately he got trucked even when he did see it coming…

An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded.

by Corax --Nevermore-- on Jul 31, 2011 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I miss his smell, his musk

Maybe when this is all over we can get an apartment together

"(Mark LeGree) corners the other team's quarterback before games and makes him apologize for being born".

by LurkBag on Jul 31, 2011 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Whenever Tatupu tackled someone hard.

I would be screaming at the TV with my brothers and sister, “TATUPU SMASH!”

The beatings will continue until morale improves!

by HopScotch on Jul 31, 2011 2:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

My brother had a similar reaction

That involved him yelling “FUCK YEAH.” and then throwing the closest person to him.

by ddougherty on Jul 31, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Can't Believe It

To have Matt go was heart breaking enough but now Lofa is gone too!

I’ve always been more attached to Matt, but Lofa was my other (current) Seahawks Hero and he’s top in my top 5 favourite players of all time.

One of my favourite Lofa memories was his pick 6 against the Panthers last year: Just when it looked like we were in trouble Lofa was there to pull our asses out of the fire and get the team hyped up.

And one of my favourite Matt memories is the play-off game against the Saints. Everything that made Matt great was on show in that game and he basically showed everyone how to play QB. The TD pass to John Carlson was the play of the game for me and Matt disguised it perfectly.

Thank you to both these guys for everything they’ve done. The wound is still raw and probably won’t ever heal fully but like Danny says wherever they play they’ll always be Seahawks!

by Slayer95 on Jul 31, 2011 2:06 PM PDT reply actions

good article danny, bringing back memories.

As to Tats and Hasselbeck. Best of wishes to your careers, you will both be missed.

by ddougherty on Jul 31, 2011 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

Matt AND Lofa?

Robert is probably in his backyard rage-dancing like Kevin Bacon in Footloose.

Wearing a Lofa jersey.

by NinjaHawk on Jul 31, 2011 2:30 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

"Rage Dancing"

That’s a term I’ve never heard, but I absolutely have to rec.

Until this lockout business ends, you'll see me as often on the links as you will on field gulls. Also-- everytime I swing the driver, I'll imagine Roger Goodell is the ball.

by Tyler Jorgensen on Jul 31, 2011 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

You know, you say the video isn't the best..

But is actually is a pretty good representation of your anecdote

by mjkleko on Jul 31, 2011 2:43 PM PDT reply actions

Best memory of Lofa: 2005 NFC Championship game

First, Lofa took RB Nick Goings head-on and knocked him out of the game:
Tatupu vs Carolina

Then then Jake Delhomme had no choice but to start passing, Lofa intercepted him and returned the ball 22 yards to set up a field goal.

Lofa is the #1 reason we won that game and made it to the Super Bowl.

"Football players are temperamental. That's 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental." - Doug Plank

by Stevo's on Jul 31, 2011 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

While I love Lofa...#1? 3 Words...

Walter Fucking Jones.

by DJ C-Raig on Jul 31, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Without a doubt. Big Walt.

by fender on Jul 31, 2011 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

okay okay

but this thread isn’t about Big Walt. Tats was ONE OF many reasons we got to the Super Bowl. Tats was the biggest reasons we beat Carolina that day. Taking out Goings changed the whole game. Big Walt always deserves his credit, but there are other threads if you want to talk about Walt.

"Football players are temperamental. That's 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental." - Doug Plank

by Stevo's on Jul 31, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions

You're the one who proclaimed Lofa the #1 reason for victory.

On the flip side of that coin Julius Peppers could have been the #1 reason for a Carolina victory.

Just call it levity. Not a knock on how insanely fun it was to watch Lofa play in 2005.

by fender on Jul 31, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I've a Seattle fan for six years...

And for six years I’ve watched Lofa Tatupu. I can’t believe my favorite player is no longer on my favorite team. My favorite memory will always be the 2005 MNF game against Philadelphia. 44-0, that’s the day I became a Seahawk fan.

by Brian Edwards on Jul 31, 2011 3:03 PM PDT reply actions

Yes, the Lofa INT return

Where he used the goal post as a punching bag, providing a visual interpretation for the complete destruction the Seahawks layed upon the ’Iggles from heinous Philly.

by mjkleko on Jul 31, 2011 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

My favorite memory of Matt

The 2005 playoff game against the Redskins. After a quarter or so, it was looking as though the Redskins were just too tough and smashmouth for our West Coast offence finesse team. They were hitting HARD. They had already knocked Alexander out of the game, D-Jack had been shaken up.

The offence had done absolutely nothing. They hadn’t had a first down since i think the first series – I’m not sure they had as much as five yards on any series let a lone a play since then.

To me the Seahawks were looking scared and already rather tattered. It was looking really really dark. Some teams would have folded, missing their star RB and stuffed time and again, but luckily for us our team had Matt Hasselbeck. There eventually was a series where it was like Hass just turned on a switch to activate uber-QB god mode. Finally passes started being caught. He took off running and got a first down.

He took off running again for a good gain. I seem to remember him getting popped pretty good but just bouncing up and running back to the huddle. He ended up hitting d-jack for a 30 yard TD to take our first lead. He absolutely WILLED that touchdown into occurring. He just wouldn’t be stopped.

After that, it was like we had taken their best shot flush on the chin and lived through it so they couldn’t get to us any more. We went on to win by a couple of scores, but without that drive and score at the time that it came – well, I don’t think we would be able to gripe about the officiating of SBXL.

It’s sad that age catches up to us all, and we can talk about how Hass was a system QB, but to me that game and that drive in particular showed that as well as a total class act, Hass is a true warrior. I look forward to his induction into the Ring Of Honor.

by Bluengreen on Jul 31, 2011 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Good memory, and well written.

Thanks.

by jhmg16 on Jul 31, 2011 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally agree with you.

I would always get excited when Matt got the chance to play 2 minute offenses in games. It was those moments that you could see him in his element.

The beatings will continue until morale improves!

by HopScotch on Jul 31, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm surprised by how much this doesn't bother me

Tatupu was once my favorite Seahawk. The past few years I felt myself starting to resent him for not playing up to the level of the Tatupu of old. The guy could barely run last season and seemed to either be getting run over, getting his ankles broken, or getting shrugged off by a QB every other play. All that said, I will always love him for what he helped us accomplish.

I’ve had it with the Matt Hasselbeck nostalgia tour, though.

by jhmg16 on Jul 31, 2011 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

why do we scream

We spend our hard earned money on tickets, gas, jerseys, posters, and all sorts of things that have to do with the team we love and in some cases (my case) live for. We dream at night of a come from behind win or “top ten play”. We scout, research, chat and study our favorite players in the up coming draft. None of that can explain why we hug strange men and scream like girls. It’s the love that cannot be explained for the guy that isn’t great, he isn’t going to the hall of fame and most likely wont win a super bowl as a starting quarterback. But the way he drops back, directs the offense and overall conducts himself as a player on and off the field. The way he hands the ball off and looks for the cut back so he can make that game breaking block. the fist pump (not jersey shore style) and the thigh slap when he misses a throw. He is and will always be my favorite player. Man crush? my wife says so…..and maybe i do. But that is why its great, because they (he) makes it great. Matthew Hasselbeck Period

by Kyle Schmotzer on Jul 31, 2011 4:09 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs

Welcome, friend.

Proactive-like-Nonstop
FIELDGULLS

by Danny Kelly on Jul 31, 2011 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Tats 3 int vs Philly was pretty cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ9dweilPjM

by MeanMachine420 on Jul 31, 2011 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

This was my favorite Lofa "moment"

He was the first Seahawk jersey I owned. He’s why I watched every game, even if we were getting slaughtered.

Alas. Time, and football, does not stand still.

by wyobo on Jul 31, 2011 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions

My favorite Lofa moment by far

The best part is Daryl Johnston’s apparent anger that Feeley can’t see Tatupu at all.

I went whale watching the other day. I think. There were a lot of people in that lake.

by SSreporters on Jul 31, 2011 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

the "monday night massacre" game

I was 19 years old and living in a strange city. I was immersed in school and trying to find anything to keep me connected to my beloved hawks and hometown of seattle. I remember vividly watching tats play above and beyond his size and expectations, and feeling that he was finally putting us on the NFL map. I grew up with my dad screaming at dave krieg, with behring threatening to move, with rick mirer throwing us into a tailspin. Matt and Lofa represented to me a shift in how we all felt about our team, and to a new, tougher mentality. They helped me get through a tough period in my life, and an even longer, tougher period of shitty football. I will always remember what they brought to our team and our city, and even though it was time to move on, it hurts bad. So thank you matt and lofa for putting all you had into the Seahawks and the fans. I look forward to your enshrinement in the ring of honor, and your raising of the 12th Flag.
SEA!

by CurryInAHurry59 on Jul 31, 2011 4:57 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

My favorite Seahawk ever was probably Tez.

Walter Jones is also up there. Joe Nash, too. Among linebackers, Lofa was up there, I guess. I mean, I liked him and all and am grateful for the production he gave the team when he was good. My only thing is… an awful lot of people look at his lack of height and think that made him an even bigger bulldog or something. As a 6’2" guy myself, meh. I found myself as frustrated by the way bigger RBs would push him over as I was ever way over on his side when he read offenses really well and got a neat pick or a nice run-stop due to that.

Maybe it was a bit more subtle, but man… I’m sorry, but he wasn’t even my favorite Seahawks LB ever (gotta put Fredd Young up there, or hell, maybe the Boz). He’s a guy I rooted for somewhat but let’s not get crazy here.

I think the bigger issue in the long run is that this leaves Tru? as the last remaining 2005 Seahawk. Did Lewis play for that team too?

by Johnny Slick on Jul 31, 2011 5:07 PM PDT reply actions

Love ya, miss ya, bye

Seahawk fans everywhere will miss you!

by coug111 on Jul 31, 2011 5:11 PM PDT reply actions

Hate seeing both of them gone within a week...

The thing that is so ironic about both of these moves is that for the last few years we have been wanting to find big guys up front on both lines to keep Matt and Lofa clean to let them do what we remember them doing.

Now it seems like we are finally getting worthwhile bodies on both lines, and they won’t be around to reap the benefits. Hope it works out for the team and for each of them, but definitely bittersweet.

by Hanbin on Jul 31, 2011 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

For me,

Hass and Tats represent the second wave of greatness for the seahawks (big walt too). They are the reign man and the glove.

While Hass and Tats took the seahawks to new ground compared to GP & SK, both took once proud teams back to relevance. And in a uniquely Seattle way, champions, but not quite champions. You never know when you’re going to run into a zebra or Micheal Jordan when it’s your time, but if it’s your time and the wheel lands on double zeroes, you are Seattle.

I grew up with Largent & Kreig & Knox & Easley & Green & Warner & Jon L & X man & Chambers & Dale Ellis…and I remember when the music stopped. I remembered how it was when we were good, and I remember how it was when we stunk.

So I thank you guys, for reminding me how it feels when we were good again.

70% of space is covered by dark matter, the rest by ET.

by hazbro24 on Jul 31, 2011 7:08 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Good lord...Well said!

by Tigloki on Jul 31, 2011 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

You know, people say Tatupu was shell of himself last year,

But one particular play stands out for me, big time

In our first matchup against San Fran, everyone was talking about the new O Line additions and how they were going to help San Fran destroy the division with their smash mouth play.

Well Tats wasn’t having none of that.

On a power run to the offensive right, Iupati, the hulking guard out of Idaho, pulled out to block. Weighing over a hundred pounds more than Tatupu it looked like our venerable linebacker was going to get bowled over when they met at the LOS.

But NOOOOO. Instead, Lofa stopped the guard COLD, pushed him down, allowing Hawthorne an easy tackle on Gore for no gain.

Dude has always had great big cajones of steel and I won’t forget that anytime soon. You gotta be a bad dude to take on big guys without thinking twice.

by mjkleko on Jul 31, 2011 7:14 PM PDT reply actions

Well....shit.

It is what it is.

How we feel about it matters very little.

The way I feel right now though is that as much as I hate seeing Matt move on instead of retiring a Seahawk, I am glad the Lofa move happened while I was still in shock from the Matt thing…that and if Lofa had wanted to stay he could have. I understand why he didn’t, but he could have.

We will miss them both and they were both great. It’s been a rough stretch… Matt, Lofa, Big Walt, Mack Strong. So…. Who’re the next Great Seahawks? Are any of them on the team right now?

by Tigloki on Jul 31, 2011 9:38 PM PDT reply actions

Really sad day.

Tatupu – single-handedly winning the 07 game in Philly. INT to the house 05 in Philly as well, that was probably when he became my favorite player.

I started being a fan in 03 but started seriously following the team in 05. Matt and Lofa are the jerseys that I own, they are my favorite players. It has stung watching them decline. Both have meant so much on and off the field, as leaders and as members of the Seattle community. Tats running out of the tunnel with that flag, Matt getting fired up after a big play like his TD run last year against the Niners…that’s Seattle football. Can’t say how much these guys mean.

by Woodinville_12thMan on Jul 31, 2011 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

Gotta be my first game I ever attended at Qwest.

Against the Lions in 2009. Hasselbeck broke Krieg’s total yardage franchise record, had a 300 yard game, and broke his own record for receptions in a game. In that same game, Mora wanted to kick a punt or field goal or something but Matt, like a stoked little schoolkid, is running around wild between Knapp and Mora trying to get them to go for it on 4th and 1. His enthusiasm and wit matched with that level of play are rarely matched in football and I hate that Tarvaris and Whitehurst have so little personality compared to him.

Favorite Tatupu moment? I can’t pick anything out in particular but he was so intuitive about where the hole was going to develop on a running play and so often just lept in there and plugged the sucker right up.