Seahawks Super Bowl Parade: Reflections
The city of Seattle celebrated a historic day by commemorating the Seahawk's Super Bowl victory. The parade and rally were unlike anything I've ever experienced, as nearly 750,000+ fans gathered and celebrated this prestigious milestone. I'm sure the day was special for many people, and for myself personally, there's an heightened sense of significance about this exciting occasion.
Before "Beast mode," "Legion of Boom," and the "12th Man," there was a different vernacular in town. Growing up in the 90s, I was accustomed to "Flying chickens in the barn yard!" "Reign Man," and "The Glove." Those who followed Seattle sports during that era were also in tuned with the phrases, "Refuse to Lose," "Going, going, goodbye baseball!" and the infamous, "My oh My!" I've been a Seattle sports fan my entire life, and the memories of these ballgames extend beyond just the court and field. To me, win or lose, the memories bring back recollections of where I was watching the game, the people around me, and the pride of the city.
In the 1990s, I remember watching Seattle Supersonics games with my dad in front of the living room. When I witnessed Kemp and Payton -- my favorite basketball duo of all time -- lead the team to another victory, I cheered wildly. Whenever they lost, such as when the shocking #8 seed Nuggets upset the Sonics in '94, I fumed angrily for weeks. And who can ever forget the hottest basketball season in the 90s for Seattle, when the Sonics faced the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. The city was ecstatic. After winning back-to-back games to get back into the series down 3-2, everyone in Seattle still had hope we could beat the Bulls. That never happened, but the memories last forever.
In 1995, Mariners mojo ran rampant in the city. What seemed like an initial disappointing season turned magical when Griffey, Randy Johnson, and the squad led the team into the playoffs. I still recall sitting in front of the TV in my grandpa's tiny apartment during game 5 against the New York Yankees. Edgar's swing, Griffey sliding in for the winning run...it was incredible. It still gives me chills thinking about that sight when the entire Mariners team piled on top of Griffey and celebrated their momentous comeback.
Whether it's the Seahawks, Sonics, or Mariners, they all have had promising seasons over the years. But because the teams often came up just short, disappointment was commonly accepted. However, despite the losses, I can recall where I was watching the games, what I was eating, and who was cheering alongside with me. The nostalgia and emotions go beyond the TV set. I'm sure some of you can relate to the pain of seeing the Seahawks lose to the Steelers in the 2005-2006 Super Bowl. But more importantly, you can recall much more than just the final score. You remember the conversations, your family and friends, and the atmosphere.
Today, February 5, 2014, the city of Seattle embraced the Seahawks for not only providing tremendous effort game after game, but bringing home the championship trophy for the first time in Seahawks history. I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did. I hope 30 years from now, you can look back and remember who you were standing with, screaming at the top of your lungs. Imagine what vivid stories you pass on to your kids in the future about the parade and rally. For myself, I will always remember how the streets were flooded with people at 7am in the morning, how the 12th Man packed 4th Ave and cheered on #3, the Legion of Boom, the coaching staff, Beast Mode, and the entire 2013-2014 championship team. I will never forget the crowd of people standing with me in 26 degrees weather. The loud chants, the continuous ovation, and undying Seattle pride.
Because at the end of the day, 30 years from now, it's still just a sport, just a game. But also, so much more.