An open letter to the 12th Man: We need to have a serious talk
Fans of the Seattle Seahawks have built a well-earned reputation of being among the best, if not arguably the best, fan bases in the league. They have helped make Lumen Field over the years a fortress, one where opponents routinely struggle for wins. Their roar is so impactful it’s almost as if there is a… 12th Man… on the field. We all know this story.
But in 2024, the 12th Man doesn’t seem to be on the field. The 12th Man is sidelined… or, more accurately, sitting at home. During the postgame press conference, Geno Smith said something I thought I would never hear a Seahawks quarterback say after a game in Seattle:
“Hats off to Buffalo. They came in and beat us at home. Their fans travel well. It was really loud in there and kind of felt like we were on the road at times.”
Felt. Like. We. Were. On. The. Road.
These words described a home game. In Seattle. This should light a fire in every 12th Man, Woman and Child’s heart to hear Lumen Field being described this way. Unfortunately, it is merely the latest in a recent and shocking trend.
Yes, I fully understand the Bills Mafia has an equally strong reputation as well. They are highly loyal and fanatic for their favorite team. And Buffalo only comes to Seattle once every eight years, so Bills fans in the area have few opportunities to see their team play close to where they live. I get it.
But the Bills Mafia aren’t the only ones overwhelming Lumen Field. Whenever the 49ers come to town, the lower bowl along the east sideline is a sea of red. This was the case when the Pittsburgh Steelers came to Seattle last year. Any fanbase that has even somewhat of a national footprint isn’t just coming to Lumen Field, they are an invading force. At this point I can only imagine what it will look like when it’s the Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
If you are a 12 out there on game days, screaming until your voice is just as gone as your hearing, then you know I am not addressing you about this. If you are a 12 who would absolutely be there screaming away, but simply cannot afford it, I am also not assigning any blame. It costs more than a pretty penny to go to NFL games, and even those who can afford it can feel the pain in their wallet when they go. But to those who can afford it and don’t go, or those who might be season ticket holders and are more than happy to sell their tickets each game with little regard as to which fans are purchasing them… it’s hard not to see how this is impacting the home field advantage of Lumen Field.
The Seahawks are struggling right now, especially at home. They have lost their last three in Seattle, and it’s even more demoralizing to see a quarter of the stadium cheering gleefully when the Seahawks walk off the field in defeat.
I know I can be critical of this team. Objectivity comes with the territory of my position at Seahawks Wire. But I myself am a fan as well, and right now, it’s hard to watch – or listen to – the 12th Man competing for noise in their own building.
The Seahawks only have four more scheduled home games left this season. The 12th Man is going to have to put in some work, and some may have to do some soul searching, if they want to retain their status as among the best in the league. Right now, the 12’s are facing their own challenge. And hopefully, it will be one they rise to meet.
I know they are capable.
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