Ah! I remember 1976 and the first Seahawks season very well. It was quite a turning point in my life.
My parents had recently divorced, and my sister and I had spent our summer with our dad and his girlfriend in Palos Verdes. My mom had moved back to the Tri Cities, from which we had just moved two years ago. This time, though, we were going to be in that "other" town, Richland, instead of in Pasco where we grew up.
At the time, I was a Dolphins fan because I wanted to be something that related to the ocean - marine biologist, oceanographer, something. I liked their logo and they had had a great deal of success, of course. I had a Dolphins garbage can (one of the big tin ones from the Sears Catalog) and pajamas (also Sears Catalog).
My dad and his girlfriend drove us up to Richland and dropped us off. It was fairly tearful. Later that day, I was unpacking my stuff and my mom's friend (later boyfriend, later husband) was helping me unpack and saw my garbage can. He said, "You know, we have our own team to root for now." and proceeded to tell me all about this brand new team called the Seahawks. We probably went out even that same day to see if I could replace my pajamas and garbage can (to Sears).
Through the season and subsequent years my bonds to the team and that friend, whom I now also refer to as "Dad", grew tighter and tighter. Once we moved into a house three years later, we would host a weekly viewing party and I would earn a bit of money running up and down the stairs, bringing beers and snacks for our guests from the kitchen to the basement lounge.
In later years, adulthood, I became 'that guy'. The fellow you see walking down the street in Seahawks stuff even though it is the middle of Spring, sometimes head to toe (hat, shirt, jacket, scarf, shoes). I don't wear it because it is a gameday but because if I need a shirt, why not a Seahawks shirt, if I need shoes, why not Seahawks shoes, and so on. Everyday for most of my life has been a 'Blue Friday'.
I went to Detroit for our first Super Bowl with my dad and was crushed by the experience.
I went to New Jersey for our second Super Bowl with my dad, daughter and son and it was an experience of a lifetime. To say it was like living in a dream would almost be an understatement. Some days, I worry that I actually never made it to the game and that I am still dreaming.
My mom is already onboard for our third Super Bowl trip.
