SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks captured the franchise’s second Super Bowl title Sunday night, and celebrations erupted across the city as fans gathered in Pioneer Square.

What we know:

Shortly after the Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl LX fans filled streets near First Avenue and Yesler Way.

Seattle police asked people to keep celebrations on the ground, but some people climbed the historic Pioneer Square pergola — just like after the Seahawks’ first Super Bowl title in 2014.

The backstory:

The pergola, installed in 1909, has become a focal point during big city celebrations. In 2014, revelers climbed atop the structure and broke several glass panes, prompting later repairs funded by the community.

Seattle police were on scene in Pioneer Square as crowds continued into the night. Authorities previously warned fans ahead of the game to avoid climbing the pergola for safety reasons.

Dig deeper:

The Seahawks’ win marked the team’s first Super Bowl championship since Super Bowl XLVIII, when they defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8. That 2014 victory sparked massive celebrations and a citywide parade.

On the field Sunday, Seattle’s defense and special teams helped secure the victory, forcing turnovers and limiting their opponent’s offense. Running back Kenneth Walker III earned Super Bowl MVP honors with 161 total yards.

Back in Seattle, fans celebrating in Pioneer Square echoed the exuberance of past championship nights — including scaling structures and gathering in large crowds — as the festivities continued late into the evening.

(Photo by Steven Rice)

The Super Bowl is no doubt the super-sized event on today’s list – but you have other options today, particularly pre-game – here’s what else is up, mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOFTBALL CLINIC: Today’s the day WSHS players put on an 8:30 am skills clinic to mentor younger players – details here; the second (advanced) session still had some room as of Saturday. Rain or shine! Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex, upper field (2801 SW Thistle).

SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: Exercise early! The Westies Run Club starts its 9 am run at Highland Park Corner Store today. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

FREE WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASS: Another way to get moving! 9:30 am at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.

SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: For a contemplative session, see if there’s space in the small-group meditation session at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Lots of options for game-day food and drink! Open as usual on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in winter produce-and-products season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more. (Even chips!)

ROLLER DERBY ROAD TRIP: Want to spend a few pregame hours watching West Seattle-based Rainier Roller Riot bout? 10 am, Magnuson Park in North Seattle, you can do exactly that.

FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)

MARCUS HARRISON GREEN @ WSUU: As previewed here, the Seattle journalist and advocate is guest speaker for Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s Black History Month Celebration service today, 10:30 am. (7141 California SW or livestream)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)

(Photo by Greg Snyder)

SUPER BOWL PARTIES: Here’s our list of 11 West Seattle places to watch the game, from Alki to Morgan Junction, many opening early and advising you to get there early to get a table!

CLOSED ON GAME DAY: On the other hand, it’s a tradition for some local venues to close – or close early – on Super Bowl day. So far we’ve seen Mashiko mention it’s closed today and Cactus mention they’re closing early (2 pm). Anyone else? (Added: Raccolto and GH Pizza and Pasta.)

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Pre-game relaxing at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

MUSIC AT C & P: 3-5 pm, Martha Liz & Friends provide music to go with your beverages at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’: Theater instead of football – the new “comic fable” at ArtsWest has a matinée today, 3 pm. Check here for tickets.

ASTRA LUMINA: Held over into February, but no shows tonight.

TRIVIA AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5 pm to 8 pm, twice-monthly trivia hosted by Morgue Anne, all ages. (9444 Delridge Way SW)

UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, play after the game, win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, end your weekend with live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

SAN JOSE, CA — When it comes to special teams in the NFL, nearly every team talks the talk – even if it’s merely lip service – regarding their often-crucial importance. But the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks walk the walk.

“We have such a good group of core guys – everybody’s bought in. I think that’s shown when we flipped some games,” Seattle kicker Jason Myers, who led the league with 171 points scored this season, told USA TODAY Sports.

“Everyone always says it’s one-third of the game, but not a lot of places where that’s true. Obviously, we do (believe it).”

Myers was quick to cite the investment from Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who signed him in free agency coming off a Pro Bowl season with the New York Jets in 2018 and added a four-year extension in 2023.

Schneider spent a fifth-round draft pick in 2018 − rare currency for a punter − on Michael Dickson, a second-team All-Pro who’s now on his third contract with the team. Then there was the midseason acquisition of wideout Rashid Shaheed, who’s had a massive special teams impact for the Seahawks – including three TD returns, highlighted by a 95-yarder to open (and effectively end?) the game in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round playoff rout of the San Francisco 49ers.

That was among many examples where a special teams play – particularly late in the season – proved pivotal for the Seahawks on their way to the NFC’s top playoff seed and, ultimately, their berth in Super Bowl 60:

▶ In an 18-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, Shaheed had 137 return yards while Myers accounted for all the scoring (6-for-6 on field goals) on a day when Seattle’s offense couldn’t find the end zone.

▶ In their riveting 38-37 defeat of the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16, a victory that put the Seahawks in control of the conference’s No. 1 seed, Shaheed’s 58-yard punt return for a TD midway through the third quarter sparked their comeback from a 30-14 deficit.

▶ Dickson’s towering third-quarter punt in windy conditions during the NFC championship game proved too much for the Rams’ Xavier Smith to handle, Seattle’s Dareke Young recovering the muff and setting up a TD pass from quarterback Sam Darnold on the next play (LA never led in the game from that point forward).

“They’re talented players,” Seahawks special teams coach Jay Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports.

“We just have guys that are so about the team, from the weekly preparation to how they operate on game day. When a group of people has that mindset, it’s crazy how good you can get over time. I’m really thankful to be able to coach them. It’s been a blast.”

Jay Harbaugh, ‘underrated hero’

One of Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald’s first orders of business when the team hired him in 2024 was to recruit Harbaugh, with whom Macdonald had overlapped while with the Baltimore Ravens and University of Michigan.

“He’s kind of like an underrated hero behind this whole operation,” Macdonald said of Harbaugh amidst the Seahawks’ preparations to face the New England Patriots on Sunday.

“Great eye for talent, the way he got buy-in, and the way that he creatively coached these awesome fundamentals. … It was, like, a very, very easy decision to beg him to come to Seattle – and he’s done a tremendous job from Day One.

“Jay’s awesome.”

Harbaugh – the son of Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who will be in attendance Sunday with the rare opportunity to see one of his son’s games in person, and nephew of New York Giants coach John Harbaugh, his boss for three years in Baltimore – reciprocates his praise for Macdonald.

“Mike makes it really important,” Jay Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports regarding Seattle’s investment in special teams, including the support of fellow coordinators Klint Kubiak (offense) and Aden Durde (defense).

“You’re never battling any of that, which happens in a lot of places. So, getting the staff support and buy-in is a great thing. And then the players making it their own and taking ownership and being able to provide their input and ideas – them being committed to the success of each unit and not chasing their own stats.”

Harbaugh specifically name-checked fullback Brady Russell as a player who could probably attain special teams stardom, such as it is, but willingly plays within the confines of the system for the betterment of the group. An undrafted free agent in 2023, Russell has played nearly 1,000 special teams snaps during his time in Seattle compared to 107 on offense. He has 24 tackles over the past two seasons.