Tonight, the Seattle Seahawks will take on the Green Bay Packers under the lights of prime time. It will be the first time they’ve had the true Sunday Night Football treatment on an actual Sunday night (they were on NBC on Thanksgiving last year) since the 2020 season.
Actually, since 2020 was the infamous COVID year, this will be the first time the 12th Man will experience a home SNF game since Week 17 of the 2019 season. It is only fitting SNF returns to Seattle on this day, for the 12th Man, because it is ultimately a day in their honor.
On this day in 1984, the Seahawks officially retired the No. 12 jersey in honor of the best fans in the National Football League. Seattle became the first, and to this day only, team to retire a jersey for their fans.
In the 40 years since, the 12th Man of Seattle has become one of the best nicknames in all of sports, and it has been well-earned. The reputation of the 12th Man has made Seattle a place incredibly hostile to visiting teams, as their roar makes it all but impossible to hear the quarterback’s cadence.
This year, the 12’s have taken a bit of a hit reputationally. Opposing fans have invaded Lumen Field, negating some of Seattle’s legendary home field advantage. It won’t get any easier tonight, as the Packers and their loyal fan base are coming to town. If there was ever a time to show up and prove the 12’s still have it, tonight is the night. After all, it is their night.
Let the world hear your roar once more, 12’s!
