Yeah yeah, this is a “travel” blog. I’m not gonna pretend I’m some die-hard football fan. Because I’m not.
I’ve called LA my home for the last decade, and we are a teamless city. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be excited for the team that represents my home state and the state in which I’ve recently moved home to.
I was going about my little hum drum day at the office today when I overheard some colleagues talking about a flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol building across the street. Apparently, Governor Inslee would be raising a 12th Man flag next to the Washington State flag in honor of the Seahawks’ ride to the NFL playoffs.
Desperate for something – anything – out of the ordinary, I quickly borrowed a colleague’s hoodie, gathered some peeps from around the office and we splashed our way through the rain and puddles to the steps of the Capitol building.
When we got there, we found a crowd of 200 or so, many decked out in Seahawks jerseys and ponchos, and cheering, “SEA! Hawwwwwks! SEA! Hawwwwwks!”
I even ran into my cousin there. Here we are with the Seahawks decals that were being handed out. Hi Quan!
Despite the rain that came down consistently the entire time, there was an air of enthusiasm that only Seahawks fans can bring.
(For my friends and readers overseas – most of whom always roll your eyes at this preposterous sport we Americans call “football” – Seahawks fans are known to be the loudest, most loyal football fans in the country. The “12th Man” refers to these fans being the additional player on an 11-player football team.)
Even in this small crowd – drenched in rain and shivering in the cold, no less – the enthusiasm shined through loud and proud.
Standing there on the steps, I realized all of a sudden that the crowd had turned in my direction and a bunch of cameras started clicking away. I thought, “Why, yes…it IS me – Traveling Thy, thank you! Thank you. Hello. Thank you.” (I kid.)
Governor Inslee himself, football in hand, was coming down the steps right in my direction and within arm’s reach. I had to step back to make room for him. I managed to snap this photo of him, and the mascot and cheerleader who followed:
Former Seahawks offensive tackle Walter Jones was there too:
The flag-raising itself followed shortly, and truth be told, it was a bit anti-climactic.
Although the rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of the crowd, it most certainly did dampen the flag on its way up the pole. That poor thing just wrapped around the pole and stuck to it, haha.
To make matters worse for the poor flag, there was no breeze to carry it out in a proper wave. Only once, about halfway up, did the “12” reveal itself in all its glory:
The 12th Man flag now flies proudly alongside the Washington State flag and the flag of the United States of America. Go Hawks!
Two things the governor announced at the ceremony that day:
- Friday, January 10 will be the official “Seahawks Blue Day” – so be sure to wear your blue!
- Go out and get your Seattle Seahawks License Plates – these special license plates just went on sale, and something like 350,000 have already been ordered. Woo! A portion of the profits go to InvestED.