: Seattle Seahawks fans celebrate during the second half of the 2015 NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field on January 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
One of the loudest crowds in the NFL – Seattle Seahawks fans – could soon get a day of their own to celebrate as Washington lawmakers look to make Dec. 12, the “Day of the 12s.”
House Bill 1759, is sponsored by Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, and already has 20 co-sponsors. It received a hearing in the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee on Friday.
“As many of you know, it’s often said that few things bring people together like a common enemy, in this case, the San Francisco 49ers,” Mena said jokingly.
The bill would add the Day of the 12s to the list of 20 other state-recognized days such as Washington Army and Air National Guard Day on Jan. 26, Water Safety Day on May 15 and Blood Donor Day on Dec. 18. These days are not considered legal holidays.
Seahawks fans for decades have been known as the “12s” — previously the “12th Man” or “12th Fan.” At football games, the maximum number of players allowed on the field is 11. Fans were referred to as the 12th player, as their roaring cheers frustrated opposing teams.
In 1984, the Seahawks retired the number 12 from players’ jerseys in honor of the 12th Fan and became the first professional sports team to retire a jersey in honor of their fans.
“When fans wear the signature blue and green, they belong to the same team, no matter where they live, what language they speak or where they were born,” Mena said.
The Seahawks, Washington’s only NFL team, kicked off their first season in 1976. Their home stadium, Lumen Field, located in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood is where they have played since 2002.
They’ve won 11 division titles, three conference championships, and one Super Bowl in 2014, where they defeated the Denver Broncos.
In 2011, during a Seahawks game in Seattle, fans produced seismic activity, now known as the “Beast Quake,” when running back Marshawn Lynch made a legendary 67-yard run in the playoffs. Fans rocked the stadium causing it to register as a minor earthquake.
In 2013, fans set two Guinness World Records with the noise levels of their cheers.
Heading into Super Bowl weekend this year, Seahawks fans had little to cheer about. Their team was eliminated from playoff contention back in late December. But the Day of the 12s bill provided a post-season bright spot.
Terri Fletcher, named 2024 Fan of the Year by the Seahawks, testified remotely in support of the bill from New Orleans, where she will be watching this Sunday’s Super Bowl as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles.
“This bill would help support and broaden the connection among fans across the state and the world,” Fletcher said.
This post was originally authored and published by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero from Washington State Standard via RSS Feed. Join today to get your news feed on Nationwide Report®.
