FanPost

The 12 Tour -- Bellingham

Today I had the chance to go and see "The 12 Tour", which is, basically, a way for the Seahawks to go into different communities within the state of Washington and be told how awesome they are. Bellingham decided to respond in droves!

The event was held at the Best Western Inn on Lakeway Drive, which is just off the freeway (Exit 253). There was a classic car show that was held at the same time as the 12 Tour. The car show was... nice... I'm not really into that genre of award shows. I just look around, point, and go, "Ooh, cars!" and that isn't official at all. Uhm, there were a lot of cars.

The first part of the 12 Tour was the all ages event. Fans got to experience Blitz (the mascot), face painters, and balloon artists (both of which I skipped out on) while waiting for the Seahawks and cheerleaders to arrive. Our MC was Tony Ventrella, whom I made feel old by saying that I remember from being the grand marshal of a parade in this area twenty years ago. Anyway, Doug Baldwin and Red Bryant showed up an hour later than scheduled (because they were visiting a Wounded Warrior, something none of us knew about until now) and they posed for pictures (Baldwin) and signed stuff (Bryant) for the first 40 minutes. After that, Tony Ventrella took the microphone and the program got underway. Doug and Red took some questions from the audience, which is nice, because hearing Red Bryant talk is always a great bonus to any day, so I was stoked to hear what he had to say. The highlight was when a fan asked "So are you guys going to the Super Bowl?" and Red Bryant took the microphone...
And did a call and respond.
"Sea-WHAT?"
"Sea-WHAT?"
"Sea-WHAT?"
"WE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL?"
"WE GOIN'... TO THE SUPER BOWL?"
"WE GOIN'... TO THE SUPER BOWL?"
Amazing moment I wish I captured on video.

Doug Baldwin, when asked if he would like to follow up, briskly responded with "next question," because how do you follow that up. A couple more questions were taken, and then the meet and greet went to the 21 and up section, which was downstairs at the on-site hotel bar. All of the VIPs decided to change into something a little more comfortable (The Seagals initially showed up in their cheer garb but changed shortly afterwards) and... it was kind of bedlam in the bar. I'm not going to lie, it was a hectic experience trying to get a drink, then when Doug and Red showed up it was crazy. But -- I got what I came for. I got my hat signed by both of them, I got to (later in the evening) ask Red Bryant about the Cleveland game from 2011, I got to dance with a cheerleader... great stuff.

Tidbits:

During the initial photo session I was lining up a photograph of Doug Baldwin and a kid. The child had no adult with him so Doug thought it was my kid. When the photo was about to be taken I said, "That isn't my kid." and Doug leaned over in a ferocious laugh.

When I got to take my picture with Doug I asked him to "look hard" for the camera. He said the only thing he does is smile. Well, shoot.

Jacson (from this site) was there as an observer, along with his special lady friend, but you'll have to ask him about his stories from the night.

Yes, I did dance with a cheerleader, except it was closer to middle school dancing than high school dancing, if you know what I mean.

--Keith