Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. They play in the National Football League and are part of the National Football Conference West division. Since 2002, they have played their home games at Lumen Field in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. The team was named after the osprey, a bird also called the sea hawk.

The Seahawks joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team. They originally played in the Kingdome before moving to Lumen Field. Their fans, known as the "12th man", have set records for loudest crowd noise at games. The team has won many division titles and conference championships, with their biggest successes coming in the 2010s. They won the Super Bowl twice, first against the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XLVIII and later against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

Several Seahawks players have been honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Kenny Easley, Walter Jones, and Steve Largent. Other important figures like coaches and team owners have also been recognized in the Seahawks Ring of Honor. The Seahawks are the only NFL team in the Pacific Northwest and have fans from many nearby areas, including parts of the United States and Canada.

History

Further information: History of the Seattle Seahawks

Nordstrom / Sarkowsky era (1976–1988)

In 1976, Seattle got its first professional football team. The Seattle Seahawks started playing in 1976 as part of the NFL. They were the second team added that year along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team played its first game in 1976.

The Seahawks moved between different groups in the NFL a few times. In 1983, they hired a new coach and had their first big playoff run.

Behring / Hofmann era (1988–1996)

In 1988, new owners bought the team. For a while, the team struggled and had some very tough seasons.

Paul Allen era (1997–present)

In 1997, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bought the team. This brought new energy and hope to the franchise.

Mike Holmgren years (1999–2008)

In 1999, a new coach joined the team. The Seahawks had some good seasons and reached the playoffs several times.

Realignment to NFC West and new stadium (2002)

In 2002, the NFL changed its groups, and the Seahawks moved back to a group they had been in before. That same year, they opened a new home stadium after using a different one for a while.

In 2005, the Seahawks had one of their best seasons ever. They went all the way to the Super Bowl but did not win.

Jim L. Mora year (2009)

In 2009, a new coach took over. The team did not have a great season and the coach was let go after the year.

Pete Carroll years (2010–2023)

Pre-Super Bowl (2010–2012)

In 2010, the team made the playoffs even with a record that was not very good. In 2012, they had a strong season and won many games.

Super Bowl XLVIII champions (2013)

In 2013, the Seahawks had a great season and won the Super Bowl, their first big championship.

Post-championship years (2014–2023)

After winning the Super Bowl, the team had some up and down years. They made the playoffs several times but did not win another Super Bowl.

Mike Macdonald years (2024–present)

A new coach joined the team in 2024. In 2025, the Seahawks had their best season ever and won the Super Bowl again.

Logos and uniforms

When the Seattle Seahawks started in 1976, their logo was a blue and green eagle or thunderbird head based on art from the Kwakwaka’wakw people. The team’s nickname, Seahawks, comes from a type of bird called an osprey. The team’s helmets and pants were silver, and their home jerseys were royal blue with white and green stripes and white numbers and names. Their away jerseys were white with blue and green stripes and blue numbers and names.

In 1983, the uniforms were updated slightly. The stripes on the arms now included the Seahawks logo, and the numbers moved from the sleeves to the shoulders. The helmet faces changed from gray to blue. In 2002, when the team moved to a new stadium, both the logo and uniforms were redesigned. The colors changed to a lighter blue, a darker navy blue, and lime green. The helmets also changed from silver to blue. In 2012, Nike introduced new uniforms with a new accent color, “Wolf Grey,” and feather trims on the helmets to represent the team’s fans, known as the “12th Man.” The team has three jersey colors: navy blue, white, and an alternate grey jersey, along with three different pant styles.

Rivalries

Divisional

Los Angeles Rams

Main article: Rams–Seahawks rivalry

The Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams became rivals in 2002 when the Seahawks joined the NFC West. Their first big game was in the 2004 playoffs, where the Rams won. Even though the Rams weren't as strong in the 2000s and early 2010s, they still had some exciting games. The rivalry grew stronger when the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016 and started winning more, especially after winning the Super Bowl in 2022. Fans see the Rams as a big rival now, especially after some tense moments in recent games.

Through the 2025 season, the Seahawks lead the series 30–28. The Rams have won two of the three playoff meetings, with the most recent playoff matchup won by the Seahawks.

San Francisco 49ers

Main article: 49ers–Seahawks rivalry

From 2011 to 2014, the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers were two of the best teams in the NFC, creating a strong rivalry. They had many close games, including a big win by the Seahawks in the 2013 NFC Championship Game that led them to Super Bowl XLIX. The Seahawks won many games against the 49ers from 2014 to 2018, but the 49ers started winning more recently. In 2025, the Seahawks beat the 49ers to win the NFC West and later defeated them in the playoffs.

As of the end of the 2025 season, the Seahawks lead the series 33–24.

Arizona Cardinals

Main article: Cardinals–Seahawks rivalry

The Arizona Cardinals and Seahawks became rivals in 2002. They often fought for control of the NFC West in the mid-to-late 2010s. Even though the Seahawks have more intense rivalries with the Rams and 49ers, games between the Seahawks and Cardinals are always competitive. Seattle leads the series 31–22–1, and the two teams have never met in the playoffs.

Conference

Green Bay Packers

Main article: Packers–Seahawks rivalry

Since joining the NFC, the Seahawks have met the Green Bay Packers several times in the playoffs, creating a strong rivalry. One famous moment was in the 2014 NFC Championship Game, where the Seahawks came from behind to win and go to Super Bowl XLIX. As of the 2024 season, the Packers lead the all-time series 16–9.

Historic

Denver Broncos

Main article: Broncos–Seahawks rivalry

Before 2002, the Denver Broncos were a big rival for the Seahawks. They met in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, where the Seahawks won big. In 2022, the Seahawks traded for several players from the Broncos, including quarterback Drew Lock, and the teams have met a few times since then.

Las Vegas Raiders

Main article: Raiders–Seahawks rivalry

The Las Vegas Raiders and Seahawks used to play often when both were in the AFC West. Since the Seahawks moved to the NFC, they’ve played less frequently. The Raiders lead the all-time series 30–26.

Headquarters and training camps

For the first ten years of the Seattle Seahawks, their main office was in Kirkland by Lake Washington. During the summer, the team practiced at Eastern Washington University in Cheney.

Later, the team moved their main office to a new place in Kirkland. For eleven years, they practiced right at their office using rooms at nearby Northwest College. Then, they went back to Cheney for training until 2006. In 2007, training camp was held in Kirkland again because of plans for a game called the China Bowl (NFL), which did not happen. In 2008, the team practiced in Kirkland for most of the summer and then moved to a new 19-acre spot called the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton for the last week. Since then, the Seahawks have used this center for their summer training. The VMAC has four big practice fields, three with grass outside and one special indoor field made of FieldTurf.

Seasons and overall records

Main article: List of Seattle Seahawks seasons

The Seattle Seahawks have been playing for 50 seasons in the NFL since they started in 1976. They have a regular-season record of 402 wins and 373 losses, and they have played 17 playoff games, winning 17 and losing 19. Overall, their record is 419 wins and 392 losses. The Seahawks have made it to the playoffs 21 times. They reached the Super Bowl in the 2005 season but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the 2013 season, they won the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. They also played in the Super Bowl in the 2014 and 2025 seasons. In 2010, they made the playoffs even though they had fewer wins than losses, which was a first in NFL history. They even won a playoff game that year, which was also a first for a team with fewer wins than losses.

Players

To celebrate special moments in Seattle Seahawks history, fans and others voted for top players. In 2010, they chose the 35th Anniversary Team, and in 2025, they announced the top 50 players ever for the team’s 50th season. These lists include players who started many games, earned big awards, or helped make important team memories.

The Seahawks have retired five numbers to honor special players. Some players are also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for their amazing work on the field.

• † Jerry Rice wore No. 80 for a short time in 2004. The team let him use the number with permission from another player.
• Many people important to the team are in the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor

Note: Although Mike McCormack worked with the Seahawks in many roles, he is only in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his time playing for the New York Yanks and the Cleveland Browns.

Main article: State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame

Ownership and personnel

The Seattle Seahawks have had several owners over the years. The team was first owned by the Nordstrom estate and Herman Sarkowsky from 1976 to 1988. Then Ken Behring and Ken Hofmann owned the team from 1988 to 1996. Paul Allen owned the team from 1997 to 2018, and after he passed away, his estate, managed by Jody Allen, has owned the team since 2018.

The Seahawks have had nine head coaches throughout their history.

Main article: List of Seattle Seahawks head coaches

Team culture

The Seattle Seahawks are the only NFL team in the Northwestern United States, with fans living as far east as Montana and as far north as Alaska. As of 2026, the team has over 4,000 season ticket holders from British Columbia.

The Seahawks' fans are known as the 12s. Their loud support has made Lumen Field one of the noisiest stadiums in the league. Fans have even set world records for loudest crowd noise at a sports event. Before each home game, the team raises a giant #12 flag to honor their fans. The team also has mascots, cheerleaders, and a drum line that add to the excitement of each game.

See also: 12th man (football) and 12s

Franchise records and achievements

Main article: List of Seattle Seahawks team records

Super Bowl appearances

Individual awards

Bold names show players chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NFL All-Decade and Anniversary team selections

Bold names show players chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pro Bowl selections

Players from the Seahawks who were chosen to play in the Pro Bowl include:

• QB Sam Darnold, Matt Hasselbeck (3), Dave Krieg (3), Warren Moon, Geno Smith (2), Russell Wilson (9)
• FB Michael Robinson, Mack Strong (2), John Williams (2)
• HB Shaun Alexander (3), Marshawn Lynch (4), Curt Warner (3), Chris Warren (3)
• LT Duane Brown (2), Walter Jones (9), Russell Okung
• LG Steve Hutchinson (3)
• C Robbie Tobeck, Max Unger (2)
• RG
• RT
• TE Jimmy Graham (2)
• WR Doug Baldwin (2), Brian Blades, Steve Largent (7), DK Metcalf (2), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2)
• DE Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett (3), Jacob Green (2), Patrick Kerney, DeMarcus Lawrence, Michael Sinclair (3)
• DT Cortez Kennedy (8), John Randle, Joe Nash, Leonard Williams (2)
• LB Chad Brown (2), Julian Peterson (3), Rufus Porter, Lofa Tatupu (3), Bobby Wagner (9), KJ Wright, Fredd Young (3)
• CB Dave Brown, Brandon Browner, Shaquill Griffin, Richard Sherman (4), Shawn Springs, Marcus Trufant, Devon Witherspoon (3), Riq Woolen
• SS Jamal Adams, Kam Chancellor (4), Kenny Easley (5)
• FS Quandre Diggs (3), Julian Love, Eugene Robinson (2), Earl Thomas (6), Darryl Williams
• PK Norm Johnson, Jason Myers
• P Michael Dickson, Rick Tuten
• RS Bobby Joe Edmonds, Tyler Lockett, Rashid Shaheed, Leon Washington
• ST Alex Bannister, Nick Bellore (2), Rufus Porter, Fredd Young
• LS Tyler Ott

First-team All-Pro selections

These Seahawks players were named AP first-team All-Pro:

• QB
• FB Michael Robinson, Mack Strong
• HB Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch
• LT Walter Jones (4)
• LG Steve Hutchinson (2)
• C Max Unger
• RG
• RT
• TE
• WR Steve Largent, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• DE Patrick Kerney
• DT Cortez Kennedy (3), Joe Nash
• LB Lofa Tatupu, Bobby Wagner (6), Fredd Young
• CB Richard Sherman (3)
• SS Kenny Easley (3)
• FS Earl Thomas (3)
• PK Norm Johnson
• P Michael Dickson
• RS Bobby Joe Edmonds, Tyler Lockett

Radio and television

The Seattle Seahawks have a main radio station called KIRO 710 kHz – KIRO-FM 97.3 MHz. Their games are broadcast on 47 stations across five western states and Canada. Microsoft sponsors these broadcasts under the name "Bing Radio Network". The current radio announcers are former Seahawks players Steve Raible and Dave Wyman. They started working together in 2017 and became the regular team in 2018.

Local television broadcasts of preseason games feature former Seahawks players Paul Moyer, Sam Adkins, and Brock Huard. Pete Gross, who announced games until his passing, is honored by the team. Other past announcers include Steve Thomas, Lee Hamilton, Brian Davis, and former Seahawk Warren Moon.

Preseason games not shown on national TV are made by Seahawks Broadcasting and shown on KING-TV. Kate Scott became the TV announcer for preseason games in 2023. KCPQ-TV showed most regular-season games starting in 2012 but KING-TV took over again in 2022.

Notes and references

Explanatory notes

Citations