Tag: 12th man flag

Sonics legend Lenny Wilkens to raise the 12th Man Flag

Sonics legend Lenny Wilkens to raise the 12th Man Flag

The Seattle Seahawks are moments away from kicking off against the Minnesota Vikings for their regular season home finale, and the team has quite a treat planned for those in attendance. The best pregame tradition in the NFL is the raising of the iconic 12th Man Flag in the south end zone, and to close things out, Seattle has brought out a special legend.

The honors for raising the 12th Man Flag fall upon SuperSonics legend Lenny Wilkens. One of the titans of professional basketball, Wilkens helped deliver the only NBA championship in city history when he led Seattle to the championship in the 1979 season. Wilkens was the coach of the Sonics from 1977-1985.

However, his legend isn’t just as a leader on the sidelines, but one on the court as well. Wilkens was also a player for Seattle from 1968-1972, and earned the All-Star Game MVP in 1971. His No. 19 jersey was retired by the Sonics, and when the day comes when the franchise is back in Seattle, it will hang from the rafters once more.

Kudos to Coach Wilkens, a perfect choice to end the regular season of football in Seattle.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan to raise 12th Man Flag

Former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan to raise 12th Man Flag

The most hallowed pregame tradition in the NFL is the raising of the 12th Man Flag in the south end zone at Lumen Field. Seattle sports legends, celebrities and hometown heroes have all shared in this distinct honor, but on Sunday night, the responsibility now falls to former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan.

From 2008-2017, Jon Ryan became a Seattle cult classic as one of the best punters in the NFL. However, there is one reason above all else why Ryan gets the honors tonight against the Packers: it was his trick touchdown pass in the 2014 NFC Championship that helped fuel the Seahawks’ unlikely comeback.

The Seahawks were trailing 16-0 late in the third quarter. The already slim hopes at clawing their way back into the game were fading quickly as Russell Wilson’s pass on third down fell incomplete. Seattle lined up for a field goal just to get on the board, when in fact it was Ryan who found rookie tackle Garry Gilliam for the touchdown.

Ryan’s touchdown fueled the unlikely comeback, as Seattle prevailed 28-22 in overtime to return to the Super Bowl. I know for a fact the 12th Man has not forgotten Ryan’s heroics.

The stars could be aligning a bit for the Seahawks. They are home against the Packers, in their first prime time Sunday night game in front of a crowd since 2019, and they have Jon Ryan lifting the 12th Man Flag on the 40th anniversary of No. 12 being retired.

Folks all over the Pacific Northwest better hear the roar of the 12’s tonight.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

On this day in history: Seahawks retire No. 12 for the fans 40 years ago

On this day in history: Seahawks retire No. 12 for the fans 40 years ago

Tonight, the Seattle Seahawks will take on the Green Bay Packers under the lights of prime time. It will be the first time they’ve had the true Sunday Night Football treatment on an actual Sunday night (they were on NBC on Thanksgiving last year) since the 2020 season.

Actually, since 2020 was the infamous COVID year, this will be the first time the 12th Man will experience a home SNF game since Week 17 of the 2019 season. It is only fitting SNF returns to Seattle on this day, for the 12th Man, because it is ultimately a day in their honor.

On this day in 1984, the Seahawks officially retired the No. 12 jersey in honor of the best fans in the National Football League. Seattle became the first, and to this day only, team to retire a jersey for their fans.

In the 40 years since, the 12th Man of Seattle has become one of the best nicknames in all of sports, and it has been well-earned. The reputation of the 12th Man has made Seattle a place incredibly hostile to visiting teams, as their roar makes it all but impossible to hear the quarterback’s cadence.

This year, the 12’s have taken a bit of a hit reputationally. Opposing fans have invaded Lumen Field, negating some of Seattle’s legendary home field advantage. It won’t get any easier tonight, as the Packers and their loyal fan base are coming to town. If there was ever a time to show up and prove the 12’s still have it, tonight is the night. After all, it is their night.

Let the world hear your roar once more, 12’s!

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Lofa Tatupu to raise the 12th Man Flag in Week 8 vs Bills

Lofa Tatupu to raise the 12th Man Flag in Week 8 vs Bills

The Seattle Seahawks have the best pregame tradition in football with local celebrities, former team legends, and icons of the region raising the 12th Man Flag in the south end zone. Recently, the Seahawks have been feeling nostalgic for their beloved teams of the 2000’s. In Week 5, Walter Jones had the honors. Four days later, Marcus Trufant got to raise the flag.

Well, in Week 8, we will see another legend from those teams: linebacker Lofa Tatupu.

Before there was Bobby Wagner, the answer to “who is your favorite Seahawks linebacker of all time?” would have easily been Lofa Tatupu. Originally a second round selection in the 2005 NFL draft, Tatupu quickly emerged as one of the best defenders on the team. As a rookie in 2005, Tatupu led the Seahawks with 104 tackles as he helped the team earn their first Super Bowl appearance.

Tatupu played all six years in Seattle. During his time he recorded 552 total tackles, 10 interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns), eight and a half sacks, three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro nod in 2007.

Tatupu’s last season in the Emerald City came in 2010 when he played in every game. Tatupu helped Seattle make history once more as the Seahawks became the first team with a losing record to win their division, and eventually, a playoff game. Seattle upset the reigning Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints 41-36 in the iconic Beast Quake game.

For more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game, be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles to raise 12th Man Flag

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles to raise 12th Man Flag

The best pregame tradition in the NFL just got a little more dynamic. Before every Seattle Seahawks home game, someone notable always gets the honor to raise the iconic 12th Man Flag. On Sunday, the 12’s will get a golden opportunity to see a true American sports hero in Olympic gold medalist – and Washington native – Jordan Chiles, as she will raise their flag against the Miami Dolphins.

Chiles was a key member of the unspeakably remarkable Team USA gymnastics squad that dominated the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chiles helped our country take home gold during the team events.

Team USA dominated overall during the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning the most gold medals (40) and most medals overall (126).

The 23-year-old graduate from Prairie High School has become one of the new faces of Team USA Gymnastics, and is poised to continue our nation’s elite legacy of female gymnasts. Now, she gets to add one more honor to her already storied career: raising the 12th Man Flag.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Padres pitcher and Seattle native Blake Snell to raise 12th Man Flag

Padres pitcher and Seattle native Blake Snell to raise 12th Man Flag

Thanksgiving may be synonymous with football, but for a moment there will be some love given to baseball. For the Seattle Seahawks’ Thursday Night Football showdown, San Diego Padres star pitcher – and Seattle native – Blake Snell will be raising the iconic 12th Man Flag in the south end zone.

Blake Snell, the former Shorewood High School Stormray, is coming off his second Cy Young caliber season. In 2023, Snell was a rare bright spot for the disappointing Padres. Snell helped guide San Diego to a 14-9 record in his starts and had an MLB-best 2.25 ERA. He has now won a Cy Young in both the American League and the National League.

Of course, Snell’s presense will surely have fans wondering about the team who plays just south of Lumen Field. Snell is currently a free agent, and while the Mariners aren’t thought to be in the market for starting pitching depth, bringing him home to Seattle would go a long way to repairing the damaged goodwill between the organization and its beleaguered fans.

Should Snell be announced as a surprise signing before the game, it would most assuredly warrant quite the roar from the 12th Man.

A man can dream, can’t he?

More Seahawks Wire stories:

Seahawks vs 49ers: preview and prediction

Week 12 inactives: Frank Clark, Kenneth Walker III OUT 

Former Seahawks RB Ricky Watters to raise 12th Man flag

From 1998 until his retirement in 2001, Watters dominated defenses on the ground in Seattle.

One of the great gameday traditions in all of the NFL is the raising of the 12th Man flag before Seattle Seahawks home games. Enshrined in the south end zone of Lumen Field, former Seahawks greats or other Seattle legends are typically given the honor.

On Sunday, the latest in a long line of flag raisers will be given to former Seahawks running back Ricky Watters. From 1998 until his retirement in 2001, Watters dominated defenses on the ground in Seattle.

During Watters’ first three years with the Seahawks, the former Notre Dame star rushed for over a thousand yards and scored at least five touchdowns. Watters was a mainstay for Seattle in the late 90’s, which is only fitting he is the first flag raiser of the year the throwbacks are returning.

The Seahawks kick off at 1:25 against the Los Angeles Rams to start the regular season. Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire on Twitter for live updates before, during and after the game.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks announce 3 roster moves for Week 1

Behind Enemy Lines with Rams Wire

Seahawks name six players team captains

Richard Sherman says Bill Belichick deserves more criticism 

Rainn Wilson to raise the 12th Man Flag

Rainn Wilson is a born and raised Seattle local, and a known Seattle sports super fan.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”UdTEy8M1TR-2449440-7498″]

One of the most time honored traditions for the Seattle Seahawks has been the ceremonial raising of the 12th Man Flag in the south endzone. An honor usually given to former players, veterans, prominent Seattle athletes or pop culture figures.

On Sunday afternoon against the Jets, the latter will be doing so when Seattle’s own Rainn Wilson will be doing the honors. An actor, producer, writer and comedian, Rainn Wilson is a born and raised Seattle local, and a known Seattle sports super fan.

Wilson is easily best known for his role as Dwight K. Schrute in the popular comedy series “The Office” but has been active in a number of projects in both film, television, and his own media company.

Rainn Wilson is a beloved figure in the Seattle community, and will surely receive a warm response from the 12th Man as he is truly one of their own.

[listicle id=98625]

Former Seahawk Brian Bosworth to raise 12 Flag on Sunday

Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth will raise the 12 Flag on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

One of the most well-known figures in team history, former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth was selected to hoist the 12 Flag on Sunday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.

“I am truly blessed and honored to be asked to raise the 12 Flag for the Seattle Seahawks and the amazing city and fans,” Bosworth was quoted as saying in a press release by the team. “There are few moments bigger for a former Seahawks player than to be invited back to relive and experience the emotions the 12s invoke for their team. I can truly say there is no better fan base or more magical place to play than in Seattle.”

Bosworth was the first overall pick in the 1987 NFL Supplemental Draft, and his unique hairstyle and outgoing personality made him an immediate fan favorite. Unfortunately, his career was cut short after just three seasons and 24 games played due to injuries.

“My heart still pains that I could not fulfill the expectations that I had for myself and for the fans when I was blessed to be drafted to be part of this great organization,” Bosworth continued. “Players play this sport of football with such emotion and passion but rarely are there fans that are as emotionally connected and invested as are Seattle’s 12s. In life, things are too often taken for granted due to not being focused on how truly special the moments we are graced with occurs…this moment has more meaning and focus than I can express. I am truly humbled and forever grateful!”

The Seahawks have been raising the 12 Flag since 2003, when a group of season ticket holders first began the tradition against the 49ers.  Now, it is raised in honor of the 12s, and often by local celebrities and sports personalities – a list Bosworth can now add himself to.

[lawrence-related id=53708]