The NFL released it's new Nike uniforms today and the new Seahawks gear is getting a lot of mixed reactions. The major design change that seems to be polarizing Seahawks Nation right now is the inclusion (preponderance, maybe?) of the Salish, Native American, feather patterns in recurring sets of 12, on the shoulders and ghosted into the numbers. Whether or not you think it's aesthetically pleasing or executed correctly this is something that every Pacific Northwest resident, Native American and Seahawk fan should take pride in.

Although not everybody in the PNW is Native American (as some have enlighteningly pointed out) symbols of the Salish culture are prevalent everywhere. We have the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Puyallup, Issaquah and Spokane. Who around Seattle hasn't heard of some or all of Duwamish, Skykomish, Nisqually, Tillamook, Quinault, Snohomish, Deschutes, Tenino, Tulalip or Stillaguamish? The Salish culture is an integral part of our regions culture.

The Seahawk head logo is inspired by the same Salish carving style type of design and the city of Seattle itself is named after the Salish Chief Si'ahl of the Duwamish people. Seattle also has one of the largest populations of urban integrated indigenous people in the country and many well developed areas of major Washington cities are actually reservation land. There is actually an official movement to rename the Puget Sound the "Salish Sea". The cultural and geographic ties between the region and it's native peoples is stronger than almost any other and is an integral part of our region/city's image. The new patterns totally fit the theme and intent.

What this is to me is a show of commitment and loyalty from our football team to our region and us the fans. What other team has done this? These design elements are uniquely Northwest and wouldn't work anywhere else, but they do work here. We have a team that is proud of it's city/region and takes pride in representing aspects of the culture unique to here (even if it is just South Alaska!). The new design actually makes me feel a stronger level of personal connection to my favorite sports team and that can't be a bad thing. I love this team and to me this is the team saying "I love you" back. Other fans around the league might not know what it's supposed to be, but so what, THESE ARE OUR SEAHAWKS!

To me it's the idea behind this and the show of tribute to the 12's and the region that makes this so awesome and really, what do you think represents Seattle better?