In the 1950s, Seattle began discussing the possibility of having a major league sports team, hoping to build a domed stadium for it. This dream became a reality on June 4, 1974, when the NFL gave Seattle its 28th franchise, leading to the creation of the Seahawks. As the team prepared for its first season in 1976, one important detail was still missing: the team name.
The franchise held a naming contest to get fans involved, inviting people to submit suggestions. The response was huge, with 20,365 entries and 1,741 unique names. Ultimately, “Seahawks” was chosen on June 17, 1975. This name not only connects to the area’s maritime culture but is also slang for the Osprey, a bird of prey.
Interestingly, the thunderbird, a mythical creature, inspired the team’s logo, rather than an Osprey, because federal laws restricted the use of native birds for commercial purposes. The Seahawks officially adopted their name before their first game, allowing them to embrace their identity.
The Seahawks named Jack Patera their first head coach. He led the team during its first season, which ended with a 2-12 record. However, the team improved in the following years, finishing with winning records in both 1978 and 1979. Patera was honored as the NFL Coach of the Year in 1979.
Coaching And Ownership Changes Lead To Seattle Seahawks’ Success
A significant change occurred in the early 1980s when Chuck Knox became head coach in 1983. He led the Seahawks to their first AFC championship game in his first season. Under Knox, the team made multiple playoff appearances and won their only AFC Western division championship in 1988. Ken Behring bought the team in 1998, leading to Tom Flores becoming the president and later the head coach.
After Flores, Dennis Erickson took over, marking another important phase for the Seahawks. Paul Allen bought the team in 1997, bringing stability, and in 1999, the Seahawks hired Mike Holmgren as head coach. Holmgren’s leadership led to the Seahawks winning their first NFC championship in 2005, which allowed them to play in their first Super Bowl.
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The Seahawks’ success continued when Pete Carroll and John Schneider took over in 2010. Together, they led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2014. Today, the Seattle Seahawks are a well-established franchise in the NFL. Their name represents community spirit and pride, and with nearly fifty years in the league, their fans, known as the 12s, continue to celebrate them.
