History of the Seattle Seahawks facts for kids
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team that started in 1976. They are based in Seattle, Washington, USA, and play in the National Football League (NFL). This article shares the exciting history of the Seattle Seahawks football club.
Contents
- How the Seahawks Began (1976-1978)
- The Chuck Knox Era (1983-1991)
- Changes and Struggles (1991-1998)
- The Mike Holmgren Era (1999-2008)
- The Pete Carroll Era (2010-2023)
How the Seahawks Began (1976-1978)
The NFL decided to add two new teams as part of a big plan in 1970. Seattle was chosen as one of the cities. In 1974, a group of Seattle leaders called Seattle Professional Football Inc. was officially given a team.
On March 5, 1975, John Thompson became the team's general manager. The name Seahawks was picked on June 17, 1975, after a public contest where over 20,000 people suggested names! Five names were finalists: Sockeyes, Mariners, Olympics, Evergreens, and Seahawks. The name Seahawks was chosen because the league liked it best.
Thompson then hired Jack Patera to be the first head coach. The team played its first game on August 1, 1976, in a preseason match against the San Francisco 49ers at the new Kingdome.
The Seahawks are the only NFL team to change conferences twice. They started in the NFC West division in 1976. After one season, they switched with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and joined the AFC West. This change was planned by the league so the two new teams could play each other often. In 2002, they moved back to the NFC West.
The Seahawks have won ten division titles: two in the AFC West (1988, 1999) and eight in the NFC West (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016). They have won the NFC Championship Game three times (2005, 2013, 2014). They lost the AFC Championship Game once in 1983. This makes them the only team to play in both the AFC and NFC Championship games. The Seahawks have won one Super Bowl (2013) and lost two (2005 and 2014).
The Seahawks made a great trade on August 26, 1976, getting Steve Largent from the Houston Oilers. Their first regular season win came on October 17, when they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13–10. On November 7, they won their first home game, 30–13 against the Atlanta Falcons. These were their only two wins in their first season (2–12). However, the exciting play of quarterback Jim Zorn and Largent showed what was to come.
In 1978, the Seahawks had their first winning season with a 9–7 record. Steve Largent was second in the NFL with 1,168 receiving yards. Coach Jack Patera was named NFL Coach of the Year. Jim Zorn was named AFC Player of the Year. A highlight was beating the Raiders twice, which hadn't happened since 1965.
In 1979, the Seahawks played their first Monday Night Football game. They came back from being down 14–0 to beat the Atlanta Falcons 31–28. Announcer Howard Cosell said, "the Seahawks are giving the nation a lesson in entertaining football!" The team finished 9–7 again.
The Chuck Knox Era (1983-1991)
After a tough 1982 season, the Seahawks hired Chuck Knox as their new head coach. In 1983, the Seahawks made their first ever playoff appearance. In the wild-card playoffs, they beat the Denver Broncos and their rookie quarterback John Elway 31–7. The next week, they dramatically beat the Miami Dolphins 27–20, coming from behind against rookie quarterback Dan Marino. Their amazing season ended in the AFC Championship Game when they lost to the Los Angeles Raiders 30–14. Even with the loss, it was a big breakthrough for the Seahawks. Running back Curt Warner rushed for 1,449 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He was named AFC Rookie of the Year. Chuck Knox was named AFC Coach of the Year.
The 1984 season started with a big loss when Curt Warner got a season-ending knee injury. Without him, the team relied more on passing, led by quarterback Dave Krieg. The Seahawks had a franchise record 8-game winning streak and finished 12–4. Their defense had 3 shutouts. They beat the Chiefs 45–0 in a game where they scored 4 touchdowns from interception returns, which is still an NFL record. They beat the Raiders 13–7 in the wild card game, but then lost to the Miami Dolphins 31–10 in the next round. Chuck Knox was named AFC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
The 1986 season was frustrating. They started 5–2 but then lost four games. However, they finished strong, winning their last 5 games. This included a big win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving and a 37–0 shutout of the Los Angeles Raiders. Despite a 10–6 record, the Seahawks missed the playoffs. They were the only team to beat both Super Bowl teams (Denver and the New York Giants) that year.
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In 1987, the Seahawks picked linebacker Brian Bosworth in a special draft. The team finished 9–6 and made the playoffs as a wild card. They lost a close overtime game to the Houston Oilers.
Before the 1988 season, Ken Behring bought the team from the Nordstrom family. That season, the team won its first AFC West division title with a 9–7 record. They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs. The next year, Behring named former Raiders coach Tom Flores as team president and general manager.
In 1989, the Seahawks finished 7–9. Brian Bosworth suffered a career-ending shoulder injury. Wide receiver Steve Largent, the last player from the first 1976 team, also retired. In 1990, the Seahawks finished 9–7 but missed the playoffs.
Changes and Struggles (1991-1998)
The early 1990s were a tough time for the Seahawks. 1991 was Chuck Knox's last year as head coach. He resigned after a 7–9 record. The team also drafted quarterback Dan McGwire, who struggled and never became the starting QB.
In 1992, Tom Flores became the head coach. Longtime quarterback Dave Krieg left, and the team had a very bad year, finishing 2–14. Their offense scored only 140 points. The only bright spot was defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, who was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1993, the Seahawks drafted quarterback Rick Mirer hoping he would be the future star. He shared the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his first season. However, his play became inconsistent, and he was traded after the 1996 season.
In 1994, the Seahawks played some games at Husky Stadium while the Kingdome was being repaired. They finished 6–10. Tom Flores was replaced by Dennis Erickson as head coach. The 1995 and 1996 seasons were average, with 8–8 and 7–9 records.
In 1996, owner Ken Behring tried to move the team to Los Angeles. He claimed the Kingdome was unsafe, but experts disagreed. The NFL stopped the move, and Behring decided to sell the team. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen agreed to buy the team if a new stadium was built. After a statewide vote, a new stadium was approved, and Allen bought the team.
Under Paul Allen's ownership, the team brought in new players like Chad Brown, Warren Moon, and Ricky Watters. However, the team still finished 8–8 in both 1997 and 1998. This led to coach Dennis Erickson being fired. A memorable moment from this time was Vinny Testaverde's "Phantom Touchdown" against the New York Jets, a referee error that helped bring back instant replay in the NFL.
The Mike Holmgren Era (1999-2008)
In 1999, the Seahawks hired Mike Holmgren, who had been very successful with the Green Bay Packers. Holmgren became both the general manager and head coach. This brought new hope to the team. The Seahawks won their second division title and made the playoffs for the first time since 1988. They beat Holmgren's old team, the Packers, 27–7. However, after a strong start, they lost 5 of their last 6 games and then lost their playoff game to the Miami Dolphins 20–17. This was the last game played in the Kingdome.
For the 2000 and 2001 seasons, the Seahawks played at Husky Stadium while their new stadium was being built. They drafted running back Shaun Alexander in 2000. In 2001, Holmgren traded for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck struggled at first, but the team finished 9–7 and just missed the playoffs. This was their last season in the AFC.
In 2002, the Seahawks moved into their new home, Seahawks Stadium (now called Lumen Field). They also moved back to the NFC West division, where they had started in 1976. Shaun Alexander led the NFC with 18 touchdowns, but the team finished 7–9.
Before the 2003 season, Holmgren gave up his general manager duties to focus only on coaching. The Seahawks made the playoffs as a wild card with a 10–6 record. They had an impressive 8–0 record at home. They faced the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs and lost a close overtime game 33–27.
In 2004, the Seahawks won their first NFC West title with a 28–26 win over the Atlanta Falcons. However, they lost to the St. Louis Rams 27–20 in their first playoff game at their new stadium.
The 2005 season was historic for the Seahawks. They finished with a 13–3 record, easily winning the NFC West and getting home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs. They beat the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers to win the NFC Championship Game, earning their first trip to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XL
The Seahawks played against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, in Detroit, Michigan. They lost 21–10. Many fans and media criticized the referee calls during the game, saying they wrongly stopped several key plays by the Seahawks. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the game was "properly officiated." However, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren later joked, "I didn't know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well." Years later, referee Bill Leavy apologized to the Seahawks for his mistakes in the game.
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In 2006, the Seahawks won the NFC West again with a 9–7 record. They hosted the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs and won a dramatic game 21–20 after the Cowboys' field goal attempt went wrong. The Seahawks then lost in overtime to the Chicago Bears in the next round.
The Seahawks won their fourth straight NFC West title in 2007 with a 10–6 record. They beat the Washington Redskins in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the next round.
In 2008, the Seahawks struggled with many injuries to key players like Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Coach Holmgren announced this would be his last season. The team finished 4–12, their worst record since 1992, and missed the playoffs.
The Pete Carroll Era (2010-2023)
Pete Carroll became the Seahawks head coach in 2010. The team made many changes, including drafting left tackle Russell Okung and safety Earl Thomas. They also traded for running back Marshawn Lynch in Week 5.
The team started 4–2, but also had some big losses. Despite a 6–9 record, they won the NFC West title because the division was very weak. This made them the first division champion in NFL history with a losing record.
In the playoffs, the Seahawks hosted the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw 4 touchdowns, and Marshawn Lynch had an amazing 67-yard touchdown run. This play was so exciting that it caused a small earthquake, earning the nickname "Beast-quake." The Seahawks won 41–36 in a stunning upset. They then lost to the Chicago Bears in the next round.
In 2011, the Seahawks finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs.
Russell Wilson’s Rookie Year (2012)
In 2012, the Seahawks changed their logo and uniforms. They drafted rookie quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round. Even though they signed another quarterback, Wilson's impressive preseason led coach Carroll to name him the starter for Week 1.
The season started slowly, but Wilson showed signs of greatness. A controversial win against the Packers in Week 3, due to replacement referees, caused a lot of talk. The Seahawks finished the season strong, winning their last five games. They ended with an 11–5 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
In the Wild Card game, they beat the Washington Redskins 24–14, their first road playoff win since 1983. They then traveled to Atlanta to play the top-seeded Falcons. The Seahawks made a frantic comeback in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but the Falcons kicked a field goal with seconds left to win 30–28.
Russell Wilson started all games, becoming the first rookie quarterback since Jim Zorn to do so. He tied the record for touchdown passes by a rookie quarterback with 26.
Super Bowl Champions (2013)
In 2013, the Seahawks added defensive players Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. They also traded for wide receiver Percy Harvin.
The Seahawks started the season with four straight wins, a first in franchise history. This included a big 29–3 win over the San Francisco 49ers. They won seven straight games later in the season, including a 34–7 blowout of the New Orleans Saints. During that game, the home crowd set a new Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor stadium with a 137.6 decibel reading. The Seahawks finished with a 13–3 record, winning their second NFC West championship under Pete Carroll and securing the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Six Seahawks players were named to the 2014 Pro Bowl: Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Max Unger, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and Earl Thomas.
Their first playoff game was against the New Orleans Saints, which they won 23–15. On January 19, they played the NFC Championship Game against their rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. The game was close, but in the final minute, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's pass was tipped by Richard Sherman into the hands of Malcolm Smith, securing a 23–17 victory. This play is famous in Seahawks history as "The Tip". The win sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLVIII, their second Super Bowl appearance.
Super Bowl XLVIII
On February 2, 2014, the Seahawks played against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. It was a matchup of the league's #1 defense (Seattle) against the #1 offense (Denver), led by quarterback Peyton Manning. The game started with a bang: on the very first play, the snap went over Manning's head for a safety, giving Seattle two points just 12 seconds into the game.
The Seahawks continued to dominate. They scored two field goals, a 1-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, and a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown by Malcolm Smith. At halftime, Seattle led 22–0. To start the second half, Percy Harvin returned the kickoff 87 yards for another touchdown, making the score 29–0. Russell Wilson also threw two touchdown passes. The Broncos only scored 8 points. The Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII by a final score of 43–8.
This was the Seahawks' first Super Bowl Championship ever. Russell Wilson finished with 206 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks defense forced four turnovers. Malcolm Smith was named Super Bowl MVP for his interception return and a fumble recovery. When the team returned to Seattle, they had a huge parade to thank their fans, known as "The 12th Man."
Second Consecutive Super Bowl Appearance (2014)
In 2014, the Seahawks started the season as defending Super Bowl champions. They hosted the NFL Kickoff Game, beating the Green Bay Packers 36–16. After a tough start with a 3–3 record, the Seahawks caught fire, winning 9 of their last 10 regular season games. They finished 12–4, winning the NFC West for the second year in a row and earning the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
In the Divisional round, they beat the Carolina Panthers 31–17. The next week, they faced the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks struggled early, trailing 16–0 at halftime. However, they made an incredible comeback in the fourth quarter. A fake field goal for a touchdown, a successful onside kick, and another touchdown gave them a 22–19 lead with just over a minute left. The Packers tied the game with a field goal, forcing overtime. Seattle won the coin toss and scored a 35-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Jermaine Kearse to win 28–22. This sent the Seahawks to their second straight Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLIX
On February 1, 2015, the Seahawks played against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. They hoped to win two Super Bowls in a row. The game was tied 14–14 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Seahawks took a 10-point lead. However, New England scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take a 28–24 lead with 2:02 left.
On their final possession, Seattle drove to New England's 1-yard line with 26 seconds left. Instead of running the ball with Marshawn Lynch, they chose a passing play. Wilson's throw was intercepted by Patriots rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler, ending the game. This play was widely criticized as one of the worst calls in Super Bowl history. The Patriots won 28–24.
The Quest For A 4th Super Bowl Appearance (2015)
The 2015 season was the Seahawks' 40th year. They traded for All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham. The season started with two road losses, but they recovered. They struggled for much of the year, blowing leads in some games. Running back Thomas Rawls stepped up when Marshawn Lynch was injured. They finished the year 10–6, earning the #6 seed in the NFC Playoffs.
In the Wild Card round, they played the Minnesota Vikings in one of the coldest NFL games ever. The Seahawks won 10–9 after the Vikings kicker missed a short field goal. However, their luck ran out in the Divisional round against the #1 seed Carolina Panthers. The Panthers took a huge 31–0 lead at halftime. The Seahawks fought back, bringing the score to 31–24, but couldn't complete the comeback.
The Seahawks still had their fifth straight year with ten or more wins, a franchise record.
2016
The Seahawks started 4–1 in 2016. They had their first tie in franchise history, 6–6 against the Arizona Cardinals. They beat the Los Angeles Rams 24–3 to win their third NFC West title in four years. They finished 10–5–1 as the third seed in the NFC. They beat the Detroit Lions 26–6 in the wild-card round but lost to the Atlanta Falcons 36–20 in the Divisional Round.
Missing the Playoffs (2017)
The 2017 season was the last year the famous "Legion of Boom" defense played together. The Seahawks finished 9–7, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Russell Wilson led the league with 34 touchdown passes and was also the team's leading rusher with 586 yards.
Return to the Playoffs (2018)
Many key players left the team in 2018, including Richard Sherman and Jimmy Graham. Safety Kam Chancellor retired due to injury. Owner Paul Allen passed away in October 2018.
Despite low expectations, the Seahawks turned their season around after a slow start. They won 6 of their last 7 games, including big wins against the Carolina Panthers and the Kansas City Chiefs (led by MVP Patrick Mahomes). They finished 10–6 and made the playoffs as the 5th seed in the NFC. In the Wild Card game, they lost to the Dallas Cowboys 24–22 in a close game.
2019
The Seahawks again lost key players like Kam Chancellor and Doug Baldwin. However, they added new talent like wide receiver DK Metcalf and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
They started 2–0, their best start since 2013. They had an exciting overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers, with Jason Myers kicking the game-winning field goal. They finished the season with a 7–1 road record, their best in franchise history. They clinched a playoff spot but lost their last two home games. Due to injuries to running backs, they even signed former Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch again.
As the 5th seed, they beat the Philadelphia Eagles 17–9 in the Wild Card round. DK Metcalf set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff debut. In the Divisional round, they faced the Green Bay Packers. The Seahawks came back from a 21–3 halftime deficit, but ultimately lost 28–23.
Division Champions (2020)
In 2020, the Seahawks made big moves, trading for All-Pro safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Quinton Dunbar. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL preseason was canceled.
The Seahawks started the season with a new "let Russ cook" approach, focusing on quarterback Russell Wilson's passing. Wilson had a career day in Week 1, and threw 5 touchdown passes in each of the next two games, setting an NFL record. They started 5–0 for the first time in franchise history. However, their defense struggled at times.
On November 19, 2020, CenturyLink Field was renamed Lumen Field. The Seahawks' defense improved in the second half of the season. They beat the Rams 20–9 to clinch the NFC West title for the first time since 2016. They finished with a 12–4 record, tied for the second best in team history. Russell Wilson set a new franchise record with 40 passing touchdowns. DK Metcalf broke Steve Largent's record for receiving yards in a season with 1,303. Tyler Lockett broke the record for receptions in a season with 100. Kicker Jason Myers did not miss a field goal all season.
In the playoffs, the Seahawks lost to the rival Rams 30–20 at home, their first home playoff loss in the Pete Carroll era.
2021
The Seahawks started 2–2 in 2021. In Week 5, quarterback Russell Wilson injured his finger and was replaced by backup Geno Smith. Smith led a 98-yard touchdown drive but the comeback fell short. Smith started the next three games, winning one against the Jaguars. Wilson returned, but the Seahawks lost their next three games. They finished the season 7–10, their most losses since 2009, and finished fourth in their division.
Post-Wilson Era (2022)
After a tough 2021 season, the Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in March 2022. Many people expected the Seahawks to struggle.
However, the Seahawks exceeded expectations. With Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, they beat Wilson and the Broncos 17–16 in Week 1. They finished the season 9–8, securing the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs. In the Wild Card game, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 41–23.
Running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming only the second player in franchise history with 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie. Geno Smith had the best season of his career, leading the league in completion percentage (69.8%) and throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns. His great performance earned him his first Pro-Bowl appearance and the Comeback Player of the Year award.
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