A Love Letter to the Seattle Seahawks

Read it and weep, haters, the Seahawks are back in the Big One.

They earned it. They worked as hard or harder than anyone. They worked for each other, for the team. And if you're a fan of any other football team, at this fleeting moment in sports you are either a closet fan or a hater who's a closet fan.

What's not to love about this team? The more you shit talkers talk shit, the more transparent your jealousy becomes. You wish the Seattle Seahawks were your team, and you know it.

Well too bad, suckers, because they ain't your team. And you're right, they are great from the very top to the very last guy on the roster.

It all starts with Paul Allen. Paul, thank you so much for caring about this team beyond the financial return. Thank you for spending the money when necessary, thanks for the great venue (I've never been, but it looks awesome on TV!), and thank you most of all for hiring Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

John Schneider, without whom there is no Russell Wilson, at least on the Seahawks, I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation for all you've done to make this team what it is.

Pete, what can I say? If I had a dime for everyone who just had to let me know they hated you...well, you know. But there's a reason I have a shirt* that says "Pete Carroll Surf Club". You are the coolest cucumber I have ever seen, and there is no coach past or present I would take over you even if they came with extra first round draft picks. Not by a mile. You are absolutely perfect for this team, and these guys, and thank you for saying "Hell Yes!" when Paul called.

Oh, and about those guys? Where to start? So many phenomenal guys all on one team, it's freaking mind-blowing..

Earl! Gotta start with you, man. Yes, Russ Okung was drafted before you, and The Other Russell, I am cool with you, but Earl, I was really happy about you from the get go. Thanks man.

Marshawn, you started a little rough, but from the New Orleans Beastquake until this very day you have been an unbelievable pleasure to watch. You play this game like it was meant to be played, and you are tougher than a solid stainless steel ball 5'11" in diameter. With giant spikes on it. And hammers that swing mercilessly. I am the one who's Thankful Marshawn, and I don't care if you ever say a word to any reporter ever. But if you write a book, I will read it for sure.

Sherm...you are the best, man. I loved your "interview" after the Niners NFC Title game last year, and have just had a blast watching you work. You, and Kam, and Mike Bennett, Mebane (miss you big guy get well!), Cliff, KJ, Malcolm, Bruce, Lane and all the rest, and a big special wet kiss for you Bobby Wagner, because you arguably turned this season around when you came back from injury, and it seemed like you brought the mojo back. Big thanks to you, Bobby.

Thanks to Doug, Jermaine, and all the great receivers who no one knows but Seattle fans. I'm looking at you, the Other Willson. And to Turbs and Christine, and even you Will, even you have been so fun to watch. And of course the Feet of the team, Jon and the House** and you too Clint.

Big ups to Max Unger. And to each and every one of the offensive line; even though I hope they trade or cut every last one of you (not you, The Other Russell), I still want to thank you for trying as hard as you can and give you some love for doing a thankless job.

I think that about covers it. Except of course for the guy who, no matter what anyone says, is a once in a lifetime talent that it has been my sheer pleasure to see play football. Here's to you Russell Wilson, a leader if there ever was one, a great role model, and one hell of a great quarterback. I wouldn't trade you for a hundred Peytons or Bradys or Rodgers'es. You have earned everything that you have accomplished, and you have my respect as a man, and I know I speak for thousands if not millions of Seahawks fans when I say I hope you play every down in a Hall of Fame career with the Seattle Seahawks Russ. When you cried after the Green Bay game, man I was so happy for you, for what you do every day with hard work and attitude.

You have earned it in the most undeniable way, my friend.

You all have, every last guy on that team, thanks for being so damned good and for leaving it all on the field every single week (except maybe the San Diego game this year, LOL I kid, I kid!).

I Love you guys. I hope you keep on keepin' on, but if it ends next week it's still been one hell of a great time, and you guys have delivered more to this humble fan in a few short years (I was around before Hasselbeck, haters. Love to you Matt, wherever the heck you are.) than many teams have given their fans...ever. You owe me nothing, but you have given me plenty, and for that, I most assuredly thank you for making it worth my time.

*Last year I started making a custom t-shirt for each season. Last years was "Keep Calm and Snap it to Russell"

**Please forgive any nicknames you don't recognize. I and an esteemed colleague live in Ohio and have gone to the same bar for damned near a decade (we've both followed the Hawks since kidhood but are now in our forties) to see this team play. We occasionally just make up our own nicknames for you guys. If you prefer something else, you're welcome to call me and we can discuss.