The big twelve
On my walk into the office this morning I noticed something new on top of the Space Needle. Since I’ve decided that everything that goes on top of the Space Needle is an inside joke I’ve also decided not to care, but upon reaching the office and realizing that “something” was a big old flag with a 12 on it, I resolved to be interested again.
As it turns out, it’s a Seahawks reference, so I was right. According to their website:
The Seattle Seahawks 12th Man Flag, a fixture at Qwest Field’s south endzone, will be raised atop Seattle’s Space Needle to salute Seahawks fans and the team during the NFL playoffs.
(Apparently it went up yesterday, but I was still laid up on painkillers. Also, it was raining and the Needle was hazy. And other excuses, too.)
I haven’t managed to get a picture yet–and by ‘haven’t managed’ I actually mean ‘haven’t cared enough about a football reference to try’–but in case any of you are interested in the sport I thought you should know that there’s some sort of tribute to you up there. ‘Cause you’re the 12th man. Or, uh, something.
It’s more than that: The Seahawks retired the number 12 in honor of “the fans.” Only team in football to do that (though Texas A&M reserves the #12 jersey for a walk-on, which makes sense considering they originated “The 12th Man”).
I was going to say the same thing. I will add however that the 12th man has agurably made a difference this year for the ‘Hawks. We have more teams commit penalites due to them not hearing the snap count than any other stadium (because the fans are so loud). Pretty cool if you ask me!
So that’s what that was about it was one of your kooky American football things. I was wondering. Thanks for the info.
Not only did Texas A&M originate the 12th Man but it is also trademarked by the Aggies. The 12th Man is considered (by Fox Sports) to be the #1 college tradition and it has been around (at A&M) since 1922. For more about the history of it visit: http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/12thman.shtml