I try not to but have found myself on occasion using we. The main reason I don't harkens back to my playing days. It always rubbed me the wrong way when people would say "we" won or "we" lost when the people saying these things were not actually on the team. They were not part of 2 a days in hot August heat, they were not part of grueling practices or hard fought battles on the field. They were not part of locker room discussions, chalk talks, or general team bonding. They didn't bleed or sweat or bust their asses for their team mates.
But this is where the Seattle Seahawks culture differs a bit. The number 12 was retired in homage to the impact that we the fans have on the game. In that respect, then yes"we" are part of the team. My personal choice in trying to avoid using the term "we" when referring to "my" team is mostly out of respect for the players and what and how they prepare to play football. The Seahawks are my team. I have been a fan from the beginning. There isn't anyone I know that doesn't know of my allegiance to this team. They know of my passion. They know what I will be doing come game time. They know that shopping for me is relatively easy...anything with a Seahawks logo.
At the end of the day, I don't have to push myself harder in the weight room or even go into one. I don't need to run extra sprints or work on my 40 time. I don't need to learn plays or compete for playing time. What I get to do is watch management try to improve the team through free agency and the draft. I get to pay attention to position battles through OTAs and training camp while rooting for my favorites. I get to dream and hope through the preseason in anticipation of the regular season. I get to eagerly wait for kickoffs once a week for 16 weeks in hopes of extra games in the playoffs.
"They" bring me great pleasure, sometimes disappointment, but always entertainment. "We" all obviously love "our" team, but in the end we are only fans. Does the Seahawks culture and status of the 12's entitle us to refer to the teams success and failures as "we"? Maybe. Probably.
Out of respect for the players I say they. Most of the time. If I catch myself saying we, it just doesn't feel right. Even though I have invested more time in this team (over 40 years...) than any of the players...I am still just a fan...a 12!