kids encyclopedia robot

Seattle Seahawks facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Seattle Seahawks
Current season
Seattle Seahawks logo
Seattle Seahawks wordmark
Logo Wordmark
Seattle Seahawks Uniforms 2025.png
Uniforms
Basic info
Established June 4, 1974; 51 years ago (1974-06-04)
Stadium Lumen Field
Seattle, Washington
Headquartered Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Renton, Washington
Colors College navy, action green, wolf grey
              
Mascot Blitz, Boom, Taima the Hawk (Augur buzzard)
Personnel
Owner(s) The Paul Allen Estate
Chairman Jody Allen
President Chuck Arnold
General manager John Schneider
Head coach Mike Macdonald
Nicknames
  • The Hawks
  • The Blue Wave (1984–1986)
  • The Legion of Boom (secondary; 2011–2017)
  • The Dark Side (defense; 2025–present)
Team history
  • Seattle Seahawks (1976–present)
Home fields
  • Kingdome (1976–1999)
  • Husky Stadium (1994, 2000–2001)
  • Lumen Field (2002–present)
League / conference affiliations
National Football League (1976–present)
Championships
League championships: 1
Conference championships: 4
  • NFC: 2005, 2013, 2014, 2025
Division championships: 12
  • AFC West: 1988, 1999
  • NFC West: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2025
Playoff appearances (21)
  • NFL: 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2025
Owner(s)

The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team from Seattle, Washington. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. Since 2002, the Seahawks have played their home games at Lumen Field. The team's name comes from the osprey, a bird also known as a sea hawk.

The Seahawks joined the NFL in 1976. They were first in the NFC West, then moved to the American Football Conference (AFC) West from 1977 to 2001. In 2002, they returned to the NFC. The team won its first Super Bowl in 2013, defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. They won a second Super Bowl in 2025, beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

Seahawks fans are known as the "12th man" because they are so loud. They even set a Guinness World Record for crowd noise! Since the Seahawks are the only NFL team in the Pacific Northwest, they have fans from many nearby states and even British Columbia, Canada.

Team History and Achievements

The Seattle Seahawks have a rich history filled with exciting moments. They have won 12 division titles and four conference championships. They are also the only NFL team to have played in both the AFC and NFC Championship Games.

Early Years and First Playoff Appearances (1976–1996)

The NFL decided to add two new teams in the 1970s, and Seattle was chosen for one of them. In 1974, a group of Seattle business leaders secured the team. The name Seattle Seahawks was chosen in 1975 after a public contest.

1987 Seahawks Police - 02 Kenny Easley (crop)
Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley was a top defensive player for the Seahawks in the 1980s.

The Seahawks played their first game in 1976. They started in the NFC West but switched to the AFC West in 1977. This was part of the league's plan for new teams. In 1983, with new coach Chuck Knox, the Seahawks made their first playoff appearance. They reached the AFC Championship Game that year. The 1984 season was their best yet, with a 12–4 record.

In 1988, the team won its first division title. However, the 1990s were a challenging time for the Seahawks. They had several losing seasons during this period.

The Paul Allen Era and New Stadium (1997–2008)

In 1997, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bought the team. This was a big moment for the Seahawks. In 1999, Mike Holmgren became the head coach. The team won its second division title that year and made it to the playoffs.

Matt Hasselbeck (cropped)
Matt Hasselbeck was the Seahawks quarterback from 2001 to 2010. He led the team to many playoff games.

In 2002, the Seahawks moved back to the NFC West as the NFL reorganized its divisions. This was also the year their new home stadium, now called Lumen Field, opened. In the 2005 season, the Seahawks had an amazing 13–3 record. They won the NFC Championship Game but lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was their first Super Bowl appearance.

The Pete Carroll Years and Super Bowl Wins (2010–2023)

Seahawks players vs Rams 12.19.2013 (2)
Seahawks players and coaches in 2013.
Marshawn Lynch 2011
Marshawn Lynch scored a famous 67-yard touchdown run in a 2011 playoff game.

In 2010, Pete Carroll became the head coach. The team made history by reaching the playoffs with a 7–9 record. They even beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints, in a thrilling game. Running back Marshawn Lynch had an incredible 67-yard touchdown run, which fans called the "Beast Quake" because it made the stadium shake!

The 2012 season saw the Seahawks finish with an 11–5 record. They were undefeated at home and made it to the playoffs. In the 2013 NFL season, the Seahawks continued their success. They finished with a 13–3 record and earned the top spot in the NFC playoffs. Six Seahawks players were chosen for the Pro Bowl that year.

The Seahawks then won the NFC Championship Game and advanced to Super Bowl XLVIII. On February 2, 2014, they won their first-ever Super Bowl, beating the Denver Broncos 43–8. Their defense that year, known as the "Legion of Boom", was one of the best in NFL history.

In the 2014 NFL season, the Seahawks returned to the Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLIX, but lost a very close game to the New England Patriots. The team continued to make the playoffs in 2015 and 2016. After a few challenging seasons, the Seahawks made the playoffs again in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. In 2018, team owner Paul Allen passed away. His estate, managed by Jody Allen, continues to own the team.

After the 2021 season, quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. Longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner also left the team. In 2022, the Seahawks still made the playoffs with a 9–8 record. Pete Carroll left his head coaching role after the 2023 season.

The Mike Macdonald Era and Second Super Bowl (2024–Present)

Mike Macdonald became the new head coach in 2024. In the 2025 season, Seattle had an amazing 14–3 record, which was the best in franchise history. They won the NFC West and were the top seed in the playoffs. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams to reach Super Bowl LX. In a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29–13, winning their second Super Bowl! The team is currently on sale.

Logos and Uniforms

NFC-Throwback2-Uniform-SEA
The Seahawks uniform from 1976–1982.

When the Seahawks first started in 1976, their logo was a cool, stylized eagle or thunderbird head. The team's colors were royal blue and forest green. Their helmets and pants were silver, and their jerseys were either royal blue or white.

In 1983, the uniforms got a small update. The team's logo was added to the sleeves, and the helmet facemasks changed from gray to blue.

NFCW-Uniform-Combination-SEA
Seattle Seahawks uniform combinations from 2002–2011.

A big change happened in 2002 when the team moved to the NFC and opened its new stadium. The logo and uniforms were completely redesigned. The colors became a lighter "Seahawks Blue," a darker "Seahawks Navy," and bright lime green accents. The helmets also changed from silver to the new "Seahawks Blue." The bird in the logo looked more aggressive with an arched eyebrow.

Seattle Seahawks 2009 players
Seahawks players wearing green jerseys in 2009.

In 2009, the Seahawks wore lime green jerseys for the first time. However, they didn't win in them, so the team decided to retire them.

Russell Wilson vs Vikings, November 4, 2012
Russell Wilson wearing the current Seahawks home uniform.

In 2012, Nike became the official uniform supplier for the NFL, and the Seahawks got another new look. They added a new accent color called "Wolf Grey." The uniforms also featured "feather trims" and twelve feathers on the helmet and pants to honor the "12th Man" fans. The team now has navy blue, white, and alternate gray jerseys, with different pants to create many combinations.

In 2016, the Seahawks introduced an all-Action Green uniform for "NFL Color Rush" games. They still wear this bright green uniform as an alternate.

Sam Darnold 11 2 2025
Sam Darnold wearing the throwback uniform during a game in 2025.

In 2023, the Seahawks brought back a throwback uniform inspired by their 1983–2001 design. They wore these for special games. In 2025, the NFL introduced "rivalry uniforms" for some teams. The Seahawks' new "High-Decibel Zone" uniform features iridescent green and wolf gray, with a unique soundwave design to represent their loud fans. The helmet even has a metallic chrome finish that changes color!

Team Culture

The Seahawks are the only NFL team in the Northwestern United States. This means they have a huge fanbase that spreads across many states and even into Canada.

The 12s: Loudest Fans in the NFL

Super Bowl XLVIII (12292632233)
Seahawks fans holding a "12" flag at Super Bowl XLVIII.

Seahawks fans are famously known as the "12s" (formerly the "12th man"). Their first stadium, the Kingdome, was known for being incredibly loud. Opposing teams even practiced with loud music to prepare for the noise!

Seahawks Fans are...the 12th Man (5341448344)
A "12" flag raised at Seattle's Space Needle.

Lumen Field is just as loud, thanks to its design that traps and amplifies the sound. This noise often causes problems for visiting teams, leading to penalties. Seahawks fans have twice set the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event!

Before every home game, the Seahawks honor their fans by raising a giant #12 flag. Players, coaches, and local celebrities have all had the honor of raising it. The team even retired the #12 jersey in 1984 as a tribute to their amazing fans.

Boeing Seahawks 747 - 12246636256
A Boeing 747-8F airplane painted in 12th man colors for the team's Super Bowl appearance.

The term "12th Man" was originally trademarked by Texas A&M University. The Seahawks reached an agreement with them to use the phrase for a while. After that agreement ended, the Seahawks started calling their fans the "12s."

Mascots and Cheerleaders

Blitz and Seagals at Super Bowl XLVIII
Blitz (original look) and Sea Gals at Super Bowl XLVIII.
Seattle Seahawks' two mascots, Blitz (top; updated look) and Boom (bottom).

The Seahawks have a few mascots! Blitz has been the official mascot since 1998. Before the 2014 season, Blitz got a new look, and a second mascot named Boom was introduced to interact with younger fans.

The team also has a real hawk named Taima, an Augur buzzard. Taima flies around the stadium before games and leads the team out of the tunnel.

The Seahawks Dancers are a group of cheerleaders who perform at home games. They used to be an all-female squad called the Sea Gals, but they welcomed male members and changed their name before the 2019 season. The team also has a drum line called Blue Thunder, which plays at every home game and other events.

Rivalries

The Seahawks have some exciting rivalries with other teams, especially in their division.

Divisional Rivals

Los Angeles Rams

The rivalry with the Los Angeles Rams became strong when the Seahawks moved to the NFC West in 2002. These teams have had many close and intense games, often battling for control of the division. The Seahawks currently lead the series 30–28.

San Francisco 49ers

From 2011 to 2014, the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers were two of the best teams in the NFC. This led to a fierce rivalry, with both teams often competing for the division title. The Seahawks beat the 49ers in the 2013 NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks lead the series 33–24.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals also became a divisional rival in 2002. This rivalry has become quite intense, especially in the mid-2010s, as both teams fought for NFC West supremacy. The Seahawks lead the series 31–22–1.

Conference Rival: Green Bay Packers

Since moving to the NFC, the Seahawks have played the Green Bay Packers many times in the playoffs. These games have created an intense rivalry with memorable moments, like the "Fail Mary" game and the Seahawks' comeback win in the 2014 NFC Championship. The Packers lead the all-time series 16–9.

Historic Rival: Denver Broncos

Before 2002, the Denver Broncos were a major rival for the Seahawks when both teams were in the AFC West. They even met in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, where the Seahawks won their first Super Bowl. The Broncos lead the all-time series 35–23.

Team Headquarters and Training

The Seahawks' main office and training facility is the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton, Washington. It's a large, 19-acre facility right on the shore of Lake Washington. The VMAC has three outdoor grass practice fields and one indoor turf field. The team has held its training camps there since 2008.

Seasons and Overall Records

The Seattle Seahawks have played in 50 NFL seasons since 1976. They have a regular-season record of 402 wins, 373 losses, and 1 tie. In the playoffs, they have 17 wins and 19 losses. Overall, the team has 419 wins, 392 losses, and 1 tie.

The Seahawks have made the playoffs 21 times. They won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013 and Super Bowl LX in 2025. They also played in Super Bowl XL in 2005 and Super Bowl XLIX in 2014. In 2010, the Seahawks became the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a losing record (7–9) in a full season, and they even won a playoff game!

Star Players and Awards

Seahawks Championship Ring
The Seahawks' 2013 Championship Ring.

Many talented players have worn the Seahawks uniform. Some have even been recognized as among the best in NFL history.

Super Bowl Champions

The Seahawks have won two Super Bowls:

Season Super Bowl Head coach Opponent Result
2013 XLVIII Pete Carroll Denver Broncos W 43–8
2025 LX New England Patriots W 29–13

Individual Awards

Some Seahawks players and coaches have won major NFL awards:

Retired Numbers

Seattle Seahawks Retired Numbers
Seahawks' retired numbers at Lumen Field.

The Seahawks have retired five jersey numbers to honor important players and their fans:

Seattle Seahawks retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure Retired Ref.
12 12th man FAN 1976–present December 15, 1984
45 Kenny Easley SS 1981–1987 October 1, 2017
71 Walter Jones OT 1997–2009 December 5, 2010
80 Steve Largent WR 1976–1989 1992
96 Cortez Kennedy DT 1990–2000 October 14, 2012

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Stevelargent
Hall of Fame WR Steve Largent (1976–1989).

Several Seahawks players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is a huge honor:

Radio and Television

Seattle Seahawks radio affiliates (lower continent)
Map of radio affiliates in the lower 48 states and Canada.
Seattle Seahawks radio affiliates (Alaska)
Map of radio affiliates in Alaska.

You can listen to Seahawks games on their flagship radio stations, KIRO 710 AM and KIRO-FM 97.3 MHz. Games are broadcast on many stations across several western states and Canada. Former Seahawks players Steve Raible and Dave Wyman are the current announcers.

Preseason games are shown on local TV channels like KING-TV and KCPQ-TV. Regular-season games are usually broadcast on Fox (KCPQ-TV) or CBS (KIRO-TV), depending on the game schedule.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Seattle Seahawks para niños

kids search engine
Seattle Seahawks Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.