Seattle Seahawks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seattle Seahawks
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	June 4, 1974; 51 years ago (1974-06-04)
Colors	College navy, action green, wolf grey
Mascot	Blitz, Boom, Taima the Hawk (live 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)
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) American Football Conference (1977–2001) AFC West (1977–2001) National Football Conference (1976, 2002–present) NFC West (1976, 2002–present)
Championships
League championships: 1 Super Bowl championships: 1 2013 (XLVIII)
Conference championships: 3 NFC: 2005, 2013, 2014
Division championships: 11 AFC West: 1988, 1999 NFC West: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020
Playoff appearances (20)
NFL: 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Owner(s)
Nordstrom family & Herman Sarkowsky (1974–1988) Ken Behring & Ken Hofmann (1988–1997) Paul Allen (1997–2018) Jody Allen (2018–present)

The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team from Seattle, Washington. They play in the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks are part of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. They joined the NFL in 1976 as a new team.

From 1977 to 2001, the Seahawks were in the American Football Conference (AFC) West. In 2002, they moved back to the NFC West. Their home games are played at Lumen Field in Seattle. Before that, they played at the Kingdome (1976–1999) and Husky Stadium (1994, 2000–2001).

Seahawks fans are often called the "12s" or the "12th Fan." They are known for being very loud. In 2013, they set a Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event twice! They reached 137.6 decibels during a game against the New Orleans Saints. Since they are the only NFL team in the Pacific Northwest, fans come from many nearby states and even British Columbia, Canada.

The Seahawks have won 11 division titles and three conference championships. They are the only team to have played in both the AFC and NFC Championship Games. They have been to three Super Bowls. They won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013, beating the Denver Broncos 43–8. This was their first championship.

Several Seahawks players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These include Kenny Easley, Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson, Cortez Kennedy, and Steve Largent.

History of the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks joined the NFL as an expansion team. This means they were a new team added to the league. The NFL planned to grow from 26 to 28 teams.

Early Years (1976–1988)

In 1972, a group from Seattle wanted an NFL team. The NFL gave Seattle a team in 1974. The Nordstrom family were the main owners.

In 1975, John Thompson became the team's general manager. The name Seattle Seahawks was chosen from over 20,000 ideas. A "seahawk" is another name for an osprey.

Jack Patera became the first head coach in 1976. The team played its first game on August 1, 1976, at the new Kingdome.

The Seahawks are the only NFL team to switch conferences twice. They started in the NFC West in 1976. Then, they moved to the AFC West in 1977. This move was part of the NFL's plan for new teams.

In 1983, Chuck Knox became the head coach. The Seahawks made their first playoffs that year. They beat the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. But they lost to the Los Angeles Raiders in the AFC Championship. In 1984, they had their best record yet, finishing 12–4. Coach Knox won the NFL Coach of the Year award.

Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley was a top defensive player for the Seahawks in the 1980s.

Changing Owners (1988–1996)

In 1988, Ken Behring and Ken Hofmann bought the team. The Seahawks won their first division title in 1988. However, they missed the playoffs for the next three seasons. Chuck Knox then left the team.

The 1990s were tough for the Seahawks. They had three losing seasons in a row from 1992 to 1994. In 1992, they had their worst season with only 2 wins and 14 losses. Tom Flores was fired as coach after the 1994 season. Dennis Erickson took over.

Paul Allen Takes Over (1997–Present)

In 1996, the team's owners tried to move the Seahawks to Anaheim, California. This was a very unpopular idea. The NFL stopped the move and threatened to fine the owner.

In 1997, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bought the team for $200 million. This kept the team in Seattle. Dennis Erickson's time as coach ended in 1998. The team had missed the playoffs for ten seasons in a row.

Mike Holmgren Era (1999–2008)

Matt Hasselbeck was the Seahawks quarterback from 2001 to 2010. He led the team to six playoff appearances.

In 1999, Mike Holmgren became the new head coach. He coached for 10 seasons. The Seahawks won their second division title and made the playoffs.

In 2002, the Seahawks moved back to the NFC West. This was part of a big NFL plan to balance the divisions. That same year, the team opened its new home stadium, now called Lumen Field.

The 2005 season was one of the best in Seahawks history. They had a 13–3 record. This earned them the top spot in the NFC playoffs. They won the NFC Championship Game against the Carolina Panthers. However, they lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The loss was controversial because of some referee calls. Before 2005, the Seahawks had not won a playoff game since 1984.

In 2006 and 2007, the Seahawks continued to win their division. They made the playoffs but lost in the Divisional Round both times. In 2008, the team had a losing record. Mike Holmgren left after that season. Jim L. Mora became the new coach but was fired in 2010.

Pete Carroll Era (2010–2023)

Building a Champion (2010–2012)

In 2010, the Seahawks made the playoffs even with a losing record of 7–9. They won their division because other teams also had losing records. In the playoffs, they beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints. During this game, Marshawn Lynch had an amazing 67-yard touchdown run. Fans cheered so loudly that a small earthquake was recorded! This play was called the "Beast Quake". The Seahawks then lost their next game to the Bears.

In 2012, the Seahawks had a great season, finishing 11–5. They were undefeated at home. Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson led the team. They had big wins against the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers. They won their first road playoff game since 1983, beating the Washington Redskins. But they lost a close game to the Atlanta Falcons in the next round. Russell Wilson won the Pepsi MAX Rookie of the Year award.

Super Bowl XLVIII Champions (2013)

Seahawks players and coaches in 2013.

The 2013 season was incredible for the Seahawks. They finished with a 13–3 record, tied for the best in the NFL. They earned the top spot in the NFC playoffs. Six Seahawks players were chosen for the Pro Bowl.

The Seahawks beat the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. This sent them to Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos. On February 2, 2014, the Seahawks won their first Super Bowl! They defeated Denver 43–8. The Seahawks' defense that year was one of the best ever.

Marshawn Lynch scored on a 67-yard touchdown run in the NFC Wild-Card Playoff Game against the New Orleans Saints in 2011.

After the Championship (2014–2023)

In 2014, the Seahawks had another strong season, finishing 12–4. They made it to Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots. However, they lost a very close game after an interception near the goal line.

The Seahawks made the playoffs in 2015 and 2016. But they lost in the Divisional Round both times. In 2017, they missed the playoffs due to injuries. Many key players from their Super Bowl team left or retired.

In 2018, new young players helped the team reach a 10–6 record and another playoff spot. But they lost in the Wild Card game. In October 2018, owner Paul Allen passed away.

In 2019, the Seahawks had an 11–5 record. They won their Wild Card game but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round. The 2020 season saw the Seahawks win their first five games, a team record. They finished 12–4 and won their division. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the first playoff game.

The 2021 season was tough. The Seahawks finished 7–10 and missed the playoffs. This was their worst record since 2009. 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 surprised many by making the playoffs with a 9–8 record. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. In 2023, they finished 9–8 again but missed the playoffs. After the 2023 season, Pete Carroll was no longer the head coach.

Mike Macdonald Era (2024–Present)

Mike Macdonald, who was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, became the new head coach for the Seahawks.

Logos and Uniforms

The Seahawks have changed their look a few times over the years.

Original Look (1976–2001)

The Seahawks uniform from 1976–1982.

When the Seahawks started in 1976, their logo was a blue and green osprey's head. It was inspired by Kwakwakaʼwakw art. Their helmets and pants were silver. Home jerseys were royal blue with white and green stripes. Road jerseys were white.

In 1983, the uniforms were updated. The team's logo was added to the sleeves. The helmet facemasks changed from gray to blue. In 1994, for the NFL's 75th Anniversary, the Seahawks changed their number style. They also wore a special throwback jersey that looked like their first uniforms.

Modern Look (2002–2011)

Seattle Seahawks uniform combinations from 2002–2011.

In 2002, the Seahawks changed their logo and uniforms a lot. This was when they moved to the NFC and opened their new stadium. The colors became a lighter "Seahawks Blue," a darker "Seahawks Navy," and lime green. The helmets changed from silver to the lighter blue. The logo bird looked more aggressive.

The team usually wore all blue at home and all white on the road. In 2009, the Seahawks wore bright lime green jerseys for the first time. They also wore new dark navy blue pants. The coach decided to stop using the green jerseys because the team didn't win in them.

Current Look (2012–Present)

Russell Wilson wearing the current Seahawks home uniform.

In 2012, Nike, the NFL's uniform supplier, created new designs for the Seahawks. A new color, "Wolf Grey," was added. The main colors are "College Navy" and "Action Green." The uniforms have "feather trims" and twelve feathers printed on them. These feathers represent the "12th Man" – the fans.

The Seahawks have three jersey colors: navy blue, white, and an alternate gray. They also have three different pants: navy blue, gray, and white. This allows for many different uniform combinations.

The all-navy uniform is their main choice for home games. On the road, they often wear white jerseys with navy pants. This was the combination they wore when they won Super Bowl XLVIII.

In 2016, the Seahawks introduced their "Color Rush" uniform, which is all Action Green. They still wear this as an alternate uniform. In 2023, the Seahawks brought back a throwback uniform inspired by their 1983–2001 design. They wore it in Week 8.

Team Rivalries

The Seahawks have some exciting rivalries with other teams.

Divisional Rivals

Los Angeles Rams

The rivalry with the Los Angeles Rams started in 2002 when the Seahawks moved to the NFC West. The Rams beat the Seahawks in a playoff game in Seattle in 2004. This was a big moment.

The rivalry became more intense when both teams were very good. Seahawks fans now see the Rams as a major rival. The Seahawks lead the series 27–26, but the Rams have won both playoff games.

San Francisco 49ers

From 2011 to 2014, the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers were two of the best teams in the NFC. This created a strong rivalry. The coaches, Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh, also had a history of competing.

The 49ers won the first few games, but the Seahawks won later. The Seahawks beat the 49ers in the 2013 NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks then won 10 straight games against the 49ers from 2014 to 2018. Recently, the 49ers have won more games, including a playoff matchup in 2022. The Seahawks lead the series 30–22.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals and Seahawks became rivals in 2002. This rivalry has become very competitive in recent years. The Seahawks and Cardinals often fought for the top spot in the NFC West. Seattle leads the series 27–22–1. They have not yet played each other in the playoffs.

Conference Rival

Green Bay Packers

Since moving to the NFC, the Seahawks have played the Green Bay Packers many times in the playoffs. This has created an intense rivalry. Memorable moments include a game in 2003 where the Seahawks lost in overtime. Also, in 2014, Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to a comeback win against the Packers to reach the Super Bowl. The Packers lead the all-time series 15–9.

Historic Rivals

Denver Broncos

From the 1980s until 2002, the Denver Broncos were a big rival for the Seahawks. They were both in the AFC West. The Broncos lead the series 35–22. The teams played in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, where the Seahawks won 43–8. In 2022, Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos. His first game against the Seahawks was a Seahawks win.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders and Seahawks played many times when they were both in the AFC West. Since Seattle moved to the NFC, they play less often. The Raiders lead the all-time series 30–26.

Team Facilities

Headquarters and Training Camps

For their first ten seasons, the Seahawks' main office was in Kirkland, Washington. Their summer training camps were held in Cheney, Washington.

In 1986, the team built a new headquarters in Kirkland. They held training camp there for the next eleven years. In 1997, training camp moved back to Cheney.

Since 2008, the Seahawks have held their training camps at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton, Washington. This large facility has four practice fields, including one indoors.

Team Records and Achievements

The Seattle Seahawks have played 48 NFL seasons since 1976. They have a regular-season record of 392 wins, 366 losses, and 1 tie. In the playoffs, they have 17 wins and 19 losses. Overall, they have 409 wins, 385 losses, and 1 tie.

The Seahawks have made the playoffs 20 times. They lost Super Bowl XL in 2005. They won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013. They lost Super Bowl XLIX in 2014. In 2010, they became the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record (7–9) in a full season. They then became the first team to win a playoff game with a losing record.

Super Bowl Appearances

Individual Player Awards

Players

Current Roster

Retired Numbers

The Seahawks have retired five numbers to honor special players and their fans.

Seahawks' retired numbers at Lumen Field.

• † Jerry Rice wore No. 80 in 2004 with Largent's permission.

Pro Football Hall of Famers

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

Team Culture

The 12th Man

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

A "12" flag raised at Seattle's Space Needle.

The "12s" refers to the Seahawks' amazing fan support. The team's first stadium, the Kingdome, was known for being very loud. Opposing teams would practice with loud music to prepare for the noise.

Since 2002, the Seahawks have played at Lumen Field. This stadium is also one of the loudest in the NFL. Its roof and seating help trap and amplify the noise. This loud 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. They reached 137.6 dB in 2013. Before each home game, the Seahawks raise a giant #12 flag to honor their fans. The team even retired the #12 jersey in 1984 as a tribute to their fans.

The term "12th Man" was originally trademarked by Texas A&M University. After an agreement expired, the Seahawks started calling their fans the "12s" instead.

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

Team Mascots

Blitz and Sea Gals at Super Bowl XLVIII.

Blitz has been the Seahawks' official mascot since 1998. In 2014, Blitz got a new look and a sidekick named Boom. Boom was created to interact with younger children.

Since 2005, a real augur hawk named Taima flies around the stadium before the team comes out. Taima started leading the team onto the field in 2006.

Cheerleaders and Band

The Seahawks Dancers are a group of female and male cheerleaders. They cheer on the team and perform at halftime during home games.

In 2004, the Seahawks started their drum line, called the Blue Thunder. They play at every home game and at many community events in Seattle.

Radio and Television

The Seahawks' main radio stations are KIRO 710 kHz and KIRO-FM 97.3 MHz. Games are broadcast on 47 stations across five western states and Canada. Former Seahawks players Steve Raible and Dave Wyman are the current radio announcers.

Preseason games are shown on local TV. KCPQ-TV (Fox affiliate) airs most regular-season games. Games on ESPN's Monday Night Football are shown on KIRO-TV (CBS affiliate).

See also

In Spanish: Seattle Seahawks para niños