Why I’m a Seahawks fan

Welcome to the refreshed Field Gulls! To celebrate the new look and feel of our sports communities, we’re sharing stories of how and why we became fans of our favorite teams. If you’d like to do the same, head over to the FanPosts to begin — you could win a $500 gift card! (Rules at the bottom of this page.) We’re collecting all of the stories here. Come Fan With Us!

Why am I, Mike Bar, a fan of the Seahawks?

Because of the man that I am proud to be able to call my father. After growing up in the Bay Area as a fan of the 49ers and Raiders, he moved to the Pacific Northwest and, slowly but surely, was sucked into the infectious culture of the 12th Man. Growing up, he and I would watch games together as I delved deeper and deeper into establishing my inner 12th Man.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because I fell in love immediately after putting on my original Shaun Alexander jersey when I was just a youth. My best childhood friend bought a matching Shawn Springs jersey. We would run around his backyard after school - adventurous first graders looking for any sliver of mischief possible, pretending we were NFL superstars in our shiny blue suits of armor.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because I remember the heartbreak of Super Bowl XL. I remember sinking lower into a sofa than my hopes ever could, a ten-year-old boy watching the team he idolizes fall just short of the ultimate prize.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because after years of complacent fandom, the Beast sucked me back in. On January 8th, 2011, Marshawn Lynch rumbled through the defending Super Bowl Champions to one of the most improbably beautiful playoff victories in NFL History. I can vividly recall my dad and I jumping up and down, up and down, higher and higher with every leap, our lungs on the brink of giving out from screaming. An earthquake created by a city united behind a football team. An earthquake created by a boy and his father giving everything they’ve got for the football team they love.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because I have never seen a more angry, physical, and confident group than the draftees from 2010 to 2012. Earl Thomas. Golden Tate. Kam Chancellor. K.J. Wright. Richard Sherman. Byron Maxwell. Doug Baldwin. Bruce Irvin. Bobby Wagner. Russell Wilson. Jermaine Kearse. This group has (and continues to) changed Seattle sports history for the better.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because, despite losing the Divisional Round playoff game in Atlanta, this team showed us that they will never be counted out of a game, even if down by 20 points at halftime. An improbable comeback victory against Tom Brady and the Patriots. An incredible come-from-behind win eventually ending on a walk off overtime victory at Soldier Field. Nothing was going to stand between this band of brothers and their destination.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because I watched this group of incredible teammates reach the mountaintop. I remembered the heartbreak of a Super Bowl loss from eight years prior. I remembered a younger version of myself sinking lower into a sofa than my hopes ever could, a ten-year old boy watching the team he idolizes fall just short of the ultimate prize. I remember shedding tears of unfathomable triumph on February 2nd, 2014.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because I attended the Super Bowl victory parade. I saw why people are absolutely, unequivocally wrong when they say that it’s “just a game.” I saw an entire city as one. I saw individuals from a multitude of backgrounds and values all in one place. Hugging each other. Cheering along with one another. Crying in happiness.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because on January 18th, 2015, this team completed the most absurd comeback victory I had seen in my life and I received an expletive-laden “OMG” text from my mom which only made the win that much more spectacular. Seriously the best text I’ve ever received in my life. My friend’s profane reaction to the Bears trading up one spot for Mitch Trubisky is a distant second.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because after experiencing the climax of my sports fandom, it hit its rock bottom. There I was, six years old again, watching the team I love lose the Super Bowl in nightmarish fashion. I was numb for the next week, a walking ghost of myself. I don’t want to imagine how Falcons fans feel.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because this is not the end. Because I can’t even put into words how excited I am for what’s next. With an elite corps of veteran talent, an exciting crop of budding stars, a phenomenal head coaching staff, a fantastic general manager, and the best owner a fanbase could ask for, Seattle is positioned to contend for the foreseeable future. Contrary to the frequent cries regarding the “death of a near-dynasty,” this is not the end of the Seahawks.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because the LOB’s mantra is “Love Our Brothers.” There’s something to be taken away from the image of Ricardo Lockette being carted off of the field in his final NFL appearance.

This isn’t a football team. It’s a family.

Why am I a fan of the Seahawks?

Because it’s all I’ve ever known and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

So, why are YOU a fan of the Seahawks? You can tell us in the comments, but we are encouraging as many people as possible to make a Fanpost about it. Let’s have more Fanposts than Niners Nation — that’s the least we can do. Also, one fan will win a $500 gift card! More info on the prize and rules can be found here.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. SB Nation Why Are You a Fan Reader Sweepstakes starts on 8:00am ET on May 25, 2017 and ends at 11:59pm ET on June 8, 2017. Open only to eligible legal residents of the United States, 18 years or older. Click here for Official Rules and complete details, including entry instructions, odds of winning, alternative method of entry, prize details and restrictions, etc. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsor: Vox Media, Inc.