This past year has been nothing short of exhilarating! Being in the Seattle area and feeling the excitement and anticipation build around this Seahawks team and organization, starting with a devastating loss in the final moments of the 2012-13 playoffs against Atlanta. It’s as if the entire Seahawks faithful took that loss to heart and immediately started preparing to come back, better than ever, louder than ever.
The 2012 season was my first year out of professional football and represented my transition to fandom. As great an experience as 2012 was, 2013 has dwarfed anything that I could have imagined from a fan perspective. I have truly been able to witness the transformation of a city. From the individuals to businesses and organizations, all rallying this team that is representative of everything special about the Northwest.
As a player, you are almost sheltered from everything going on in the non-football world. You enter the bubble of the facility each day and work your butt off with the help of your teammates and coaches, trainers, managers and administration. All of this in hopes that you can collectively achieve the goal set out before you, the challenge to be the best at what you do. You band together and the thought of being a part of something greater motivates you.
As a fan, you watch in anxious anticipation, hoping that your loyalty and pride will someday be rewarded. You would like to believe that in some way your contribution, your rituals, your cheering, does make a difference. This is one of the only environments that I can truly say has made a difference. There is no measure for passion, but if the Guinness World Records for Loudest Cheer at a Stadium can be used as a benchmark, Seattle fans are some of the most passionate in the world.
This Sunday, the Seahawks will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. However, they are not just representing their conference, but an entire city, an entire fan base and a culture and community that has more than a vested interest. They are owners: Acknowledged by the organization, appreciated and adored by the players and the envy of the NFL.
I am proud of everything that I have been blessed to accomplish in my career as a professional athlete, but the view from up here, in the stands, in front of the TV, amongst other fans, has brought me a unique sense of pride, satisfaction and accomplishment that I could have never imagined.
Go Hawks!!
Kerry Carter was a fullback for the Seattle Seahawks from 2003-04. He co-owns JumpIt Media, a marketing and consulting agency, with fellow former Seahawk Joe Tafoya. The two are also partial owners of Volume 12, a company in Redmond focused on highlighting Seahawks fans as well as charitable causes and organizations in the local community.
