Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The franchise competes in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. The Seahawks joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team and initially began play in the NFC. However, from 1977 to 2001, the team competed in the American Football Conference (AFC) West before returning to the NFC in 2002 following league realignment.
The Seahawks have played their home games at Lumen Field in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood since 2002. Before moving to Lumen Field, the team played at the Kingdome from 1976 to 1999 and briefly at Husky Stadium during the 1994 season and again from 2000 to 2001.
Fan Base and “12s” Identity
Seahawks fans are famously known as the “12s”, previously referred to as the “12th Man” or the “12th Fan.” The fan base is widely regarded as one of the loudest and most passionate in professional sports. In 2013, Seahawks fans set the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event on two occasions—first reaching 136.6 decibels during a game against the San Francisco 49ers, and later 137.6 decibels during a Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints.
As the only NFL team located in the Pacific Northwest, the Seahawks draw support from a broad geographical region, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Team Success and Championships
The Seahawks have won 11 division titles and three conference championships. They are unique in NFL history as the only team to have appeared in both the AFC and NFC Championship Games. The franchise has reached three Super Bowls, losing Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos, and losing Super Bowl XLIX to the New England Patriots.
Several Seahawks legends have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Kenny Easley, Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson, Cortez Kennedy, and Steve Largent. The Seahawks Ring of Honor recognizes additional key figures such as Shaun Alexander, Matt Hasselbeck, Jim Zorn, Curt Warner, former head coaches Chuck Knox and Mike Holmgren, longtime radio announcer Pete Gross, and former owner Paul Allen.
Franchise History
Nordstrom / Sarkowsky Era (1976–1988)
Following the AFL–NFL merger, the league expanded from 26 to 28 teams. In 1974, Seattle was awarded an NFL franchise, and the team officially began play in 1976. The name “Seattle Seahawks” was selected through a public contest, drawing over 20,000 submissions.
Jack Patera was hired as the team’s first head coach, and the Seahawks played their inaugural game on August 1, 1976, against the San Francisco 49ers. After one season in the NFC West, the Seahawks switched conferences with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, moving to the AFC West, a decision made to balance schedules for the league’s new expansion teams.
The hiring of Chuck Knox in 1983 marked a turning point. That season, the Seahawks reached the playoffs for the first time and advanced to the AFC Championship Game. In 1984, Seattle posted a 12–4 record, which stood as the franchise’s best season for over two decades.
Behring / Hofmann Era (1988–1996)
In 1988, ownership transferred to Ken Behring and Ken Hofmann. While the Seahawks won their first division title that year, the team struggled throughout much of the 1990s. Multiple coaching changes and losing seasons defined this period, including a franchise-worst 2–14 record in 1992.
Hall of Fame safety Kenny Easley, a defensive unit leader for Seattle in the 1980s, was a top defensive player in the NFL and one of the Seahawks’ all-time greatest players.
Paul Allen Era (1997–present)
In 1997, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen purchased the Seahawks, ensuring the team remained in Seattle after relocation concerns. His ownership brought long-term stability, major investments, and a renewed focus on competitiveness.
Mike Holmgren Years (1999–2008)
Mike Holmgren was hired as head coach in 1999 and led the team for a decade. Under his leadership, the Seahawks became consistent playoff contenders. The 2005 season was the most successful in franchise history at the time, finishing 13–3 and reaching Super Bowl XL, though they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a controversial game.
Pete Carroll Era (2010–2023)
Early Success (2010–2012)
The Seahawks made history in 2010 by reaching the playoffs with a 7–9 record, highlighted by Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake” run against the New Orleans Saints. Under head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson, the team steadily improved.
Super Bowl XLVIII Champions (2013)
The 2013 Seahawks posted a 13–3 record and featured one of the greatest defenses in NFL history, known as the “Legion of Boom.” Seattle defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 in Super Bowl XLVIII, winning the franchise’s first championship.
Post-Championship Years (2014–2023)
Seattle remained competitive for nearly a decade, returning to Super Bowl XLIX in 2014 and making multiple playoff appearances. Following roster changes, injuries, and the departure of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks entered a rebuilding phase. Pete Carroll stepped down as head coach after the 2023 season, transitioning into an advisory role.
Mike Macdonald Era (2024–present)
In 2024, the Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald, former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, as head coach. The team finished the season 10–7, narrowly missing the playoffs but showing signs of a promising future.
