Seattle, WA
Diehard Fans Give Seattle Seahawks a Home-Field Advantage—in Germany
Like many Germans,
Lukas Spiess
loves soccer. Like quite a bit fewer Germans, he means the American sort, and the Seattle Seahawks particularly.
He likes the Seahawks a lot that he flew practically 5,200 miles from Stuttgart to Seattle to absorb the spectacle of his group’s season opener in September.
“It’s very totally different from the classical European sports activities occasion,” he mentioned, pointing to extravagant pregame tailgating and opposing followers commingling within the stands. “Perhaps there’s a little bit of smack speak,” he mentioned, “however very not often are there ever bodily altercations.”
Soccer reigns supreme throughout Europe, however increasingly more Germans are enduring a five-or-more hour time distinction to observe American soccer and the Seahawks are their group. They also have a German Sea Hawkers fan membership.
This Sunday, Mr. Spiess and his fellow German fanatics will benefit from the Nationwide Soccer League’s first-ever regular-season recreation in Germany when the Seahawks tackle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are technically the house group, but when the German Sea Hawkers membership has its manner, its group will take the turf at Munich’s 75,000-seat Allianz Enviornment with one thing of a home-field benefit.
German fan Lukas Spiess on the Seahawks’ season opener in Seattle.
Photograph:
Patrick Dinger
The NFL has hosted regular-season video games since 2007 within the U.Ok., the place the Seahawks are also common. After a 2018 matchup there towards the then-Oakland Raiders, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll mentioned it “felt like a house recreation.”
How did the Seahawks wind up with so many European followers? The NFL’s European advertising and marketing push spanned a decade when the Seahawks have been stringing collectively deep playoff runs with a colourful and charismatic group of stars that then included operating again
Marshawn Lynch
and cornerback
Richard Sherman.
On the similar time, German TV station ProSieben Maxx was providing free telecasts of extra video games.
In January 2014,
Daniel Humburg,
then a pupil, was flipping via channels when he got here throughout the Seahawks’ first postseason recreation in what turned their march to the Tremendous Bowl.
“I’m in my room, watching a sport I don’t perceive, and I’m fully into it,” he recalled. He stayed up watching till about 5 a.m., two hours earlier than courses started.
Some German followers started rooting for the Seahawks years in the past when operating again Marshawn Lynch, pictured in 2019, was a star.
Photograph:
Alika Jenner/Getty Photos
He was transfixed by a operating again nicknamed Beast Mode. “It was Marshawn Lynch bursting via D-lines like they have been little youngsters,” mentioned Mr. Humburg, now finding out to change into a high-school instructor.
Max Länge,
a Leipzig resident, suspects he was the primary particular person in Germany to personal Mr. Lynch’s jersey. He mentioned he was received over to the Seahawks by the “swagger” of Mr. Sherman and the remainder of their trash-talking defensive secondary, generally known as the “Legion of Growth,” throughout that run to a 2014 Tremendous Bowl victory.
Max Länge, founding father of the German Sea Hawkers fan membership, at a recreation in Seattle in 2013.
Photograph:
Max Länge
Mr. Länge gathered about 15 fellow followers later that 12 months and utilized to create a German chapter of the Sea Hawkers, a semiofficial booster membership that already had a foothold within the U.Ok.
The group turned a vanguard of Germany’s American soccer zeitgeist, as new followers gravitated towards the very best groups, corresponding to Seattle and the New England Patriots. “Nobody would change into a Browns fan,” Mr. Länge mentioned, referencing the chronically unsuccessful Cleveland franchise.
The German Sea Hawkers have grown to extra 1,800 than members. A digital media arm reaches extra with German-language evaluation and merchandise. Group-specific podcasts and different social-media pages have sprouted lately as streaming choices for video games have expanded.
Nonetheless, the Seahawks are removed from a family identify, mentioned
Simon Kell,
an information-technology skilled who lives outdoors of Düsseldorf. “Most Germans don’t know the place Seattle is in the US,” he mentioned.
A gathering of the German Sea Hawkers in Wiesbaden, Germany, final November.
Photograph:
Christopher Mettken
Mr. Kell visited New Orleans final month to observe the Seahawks play. He likes the X’s and O’s of soccer technique, in addition to the tradition round it: anthem singing, flag waving and occasional flyovers by jet fighters. “Every little thing is greater,” he mentioned.
When tickets went on sale for the Munich recreation, Mr. Kell discovered himself behind about 600,000 different followers with a web based vendor. “I used to be fortunate that I had mates who received tickets,” he mentioned, including that he would have coughed up 500 euros, or practically $500 a seat. Tickets have since offered in resale markets for hundreds apiece.
Tom Lang has been a Seahawks fan since residing close to Seattle as a part of a high-school trade program.
Photograph:
Dave Fleming
As out-of-town followers descend on Munich, air-traffic controller
Tom Lang,
who lives outdoors the town, plans to function an area information. “I’m getting concerned in all types of loopy stuff occurring,” he mentioned.
Mr. Lang has been a Seahawks fan since 1986, when he lived close to Seattle as a part of a high-school trade program. A season ticket-holder for six years, he visits Seattle recurrently to attend video games with a buddy, promoting or making a gift of unused tickets.
The German Sea Hawkers have offered greater than 800 tickets for a celebration at a Munich beer corridor the night earlier than kickoff. An Instagram publish promoting the occasion describes it as a “Heimspeil Celebration,” or home-game occasion, with conventional wheat beer and Bavarian delicacies.
Mr. Länge, the Leipzig resident who based the German Sea Hawkers, mentioned the gathering will probably be a fruits of years spent making an attempt to carry followers in his nation collectively.
“I will probably be there, watching folks and smiling, and shedding some tears,” he mentioned. “It’s simply what I dreamed of.”
Seahawks vast receiver Tyler Lockett throughout a recreation in October.
Photograph:
Steph Chambers/Getty Photos
Write to David Uberti at david.uberti@wsj.com
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The suspect in a hate crime against a transgender female in Seattle was previously bailed out of jail by the controversial NW Community Bail Fund group for a separate alleged anti-trans hate crime, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO). Somehow, this detail managed to elude a Seattle Times report, though the paper was made aware.
The 39-year-old suspect, Andre Phillip Karlow, allegedly attacked a Sound Transit fare inspector, who identifies as a transgender female, in October 2024. He pleaded not guilty and was bailed out by the NW Community Bail Fund, which indiscriminately pays the bail for suspects, usually based on whether or not the suspect comes from a marginalized community or is homeless. In this case, they posted $3,000 bail, according to KCPAO records.
Karlow is now awaiting charges in a separate alleged hate crime against a transgender female victim last Thursday. Had his bail not been posted by the NW Bail Fund, it’s possible that this alleged hate crime would not have occurred. Why didn’t The Seattle Times point this detail out?
Details in the accused anti-trans hate crime
Seattle Police say Karlow taunted the victim by calling her a “drag queen” and demanding, “to your makeup off.” He was allegedly in a group at the time.
When the victim attempted to photograph the group, police say the group began punching and kicking her. Someone in the group allegedly made reference to the Trump administration banning transgender military members after the victim tried to appeal to the group that she was a veteran.
One of the suspects, Karlow, was identified by police based on surveillance. Seattle Police says he was the suspect in an earlier domestic violence incident for allegedly throwing a can of food at his girlfriend, striking her and causing injury. Karlow was later arrested for the suspected hate crime.
The Seattle Times gets it wrong
In The Seattle Times coverage, reporter Catalina Gaitán pointed out the alleged Trump reference. But she managed to completely ignore the involvement of the NW Bail Fund.
“The man police arrested was previously released from the King County Jail in October, after he posted bond on his $30,000 bail for a separate hate crime charge, records show,” Gaitán incorrectly claimed.
But if the reporter saw the records, why not point out that the radical progressive group bailed him out? She must have known. In fact, the KCPAO explicitly told reporters via email that the NW Bail Fund was involved. “According to public court records, the defendant was released in that case after the Northwest Community Bail Fund posted his bond,” a spokesperson wrote to media.
NW Bail Fund is celebrated by the Radical Left
The NW Bail Fund has been celebrated by progressive activists as addressing what they falsely claim is a “racist criminal justice system” because some judges ask for cash bail. Ironically, the NW Bail Fund claims cash bail is “transphobic.”
“We oppose pretrial detention and cash bail, because they harm communities and are racist, classist, transphobic, and ableist. High bails do not increase safety; rather they make sure only the wealthy and people with resources go free, creating two systems of criminal process in Washington: one for people who can afford bail and another for people who can’t,” according to the group’s website.
In fact, the NW Bail Fund claims to “prioritize bail assistance for our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, particularly transgender, community members: those at greatest risk in our current criminal punishment system.” If that’s the case, why would they pay the bail for a suspect in an anti-trans hate crime? The NW Bail Fund didn’t respond when asked to comment by “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.
The Seattle Times has been notable for its support of left-wing causes, with a newsroom that is transparently biased towards Democrats. Is that why this bail detail was left out? Gaitán did not respond to a request for comment.
Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason Rantz on X, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Follow @https://twitter.com/jasonrantz
In recognition of International Transgender Day of Visibility on Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell and city leaders signed new legislation to support individuals seeking gender-affirming and reproductive health care services in Seattle.
The Seattle Seahawks have the 18th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 24 in Green Bay. The Seahawks own 10 total picks in the seven-round draft, including three in the top 52 and four in the top 92.
Seahawks’ draft picks
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
18 |
18 |
|
|
2 |
18 |
50 |
|
|
2 |
20 |
52 |
From Steelers |
|
3 |
18 |
82 |
|
|
3 |
28 |
92 |
From Lions via Jets, Raiders |
|
4 |
35 |
137 |
Compensatory pick |
|
5 |
34 |
172 |
Compensatory pick |
|
5 |
37 |
175 |
Compensatory pick |
|
7 |
7 |
223 |
From Saints via Eagles, Steelers |
|
7 |
18 |
234 |
Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
• Round 1: April 24, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 26, noon ET
All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
About the Seahawks
• General manager: John Schneider (16th season with team)
• Head coach: Mike Macdonald (second season with team)
• Last year’s record: 10-7
The Seahawks were the only team with at least 10 wins to miss the playoffs in 2024. Led by a first-year coach in Macdonald, Seattle had a decent season and produced three Pro Bowlers, one via the original ballot (Devon Witherspoon) and two via injury replacement (Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Leonard Williams). Those three will headline a new-look Seattle team, which also has a new offensive play caller in Klink Kubiak, trying to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
Scouting the decision-makers
Schneider added president of football operations to his title in January 2024, giving him final say on personnel, which was previously held by Pete Carroll. However, Schneider has said Carroll rarely used his veto power in 14 years together, and Schneider took offense to a question last offseason that intimated he was only now running the show because Carroll is gone.
• The Seahawks’ 2024 NFL Draft class
Seahawks’ key additions
• QB Sam Darnold: Three-year, $100.5 million deal (plus $10 million in incentives)
• WR Cooper Kupp: Three-year, $45 million deal
• DE DeMarcus Lawrence: Three-year, $42 million deal
• Seahawks’ 2025 free-agency tracker
Seahawks’ key positions of need
Offensive line: Earlier in the offseason, Schneider referred to the offensive line as the team’s biggest deficiency. Charles Cross is a very talented left tackle, and Abe Lucas is an equally talented right tackle when healthy, though he has played just 13 games over the past two years due to a knee issue (which has since been resolved, Schneider said). The interior of Seattle’s offensive line, meanwhile, features several young and inexpensive yet unproven players. The Seahawks must come out of this draft with at least one, if not two, starting-caliber players up front.
Wide receiver: Seattle replaced DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett with 31-year-old Kupp on a three-year contract and 30-year-old Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a one-year deal. The team also signed 30-year-old River Cracraft and Steven Sims, who is mostly a return specialist. Seattle needs to draft pass catchers who can be immediately impactful in Kubiak’s offense, particularly down the field. Looking ahead, Smith-Njigba is the only receiver under 30 who is under contract beyond this season.
Cornerback: Of Seattle’s three starting cornerbacks, only Witherspoon is under contract beyond this season. The Seahawks used a 2024 fifth-round pick on Nehemiah Pritchett, but he played just 144 defensive snaps and made one start as a rookie. Witherspoon, Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are good cornerbacks, but the draft isn’t just about filling immediate needs — it’s also about planning for the future. Adding a high-upside cornerback in the draft would provide depth in 2025 and set the defense up for success in 2026 and beyond in the event that Jobe and Woolen are re-signed.
Seahawks’ draft analysis
Is GM John Schneider on the hot seat? Plus, thoughts on the draft and O-line
Seahawks roster reset: O-line help still needed, but draft priorities becoming clearer
No, the Seahawks aren’t tanking, or even rebuilding. But contending just became much harder
Seahawks big board: Prospects who could fill needs in Rounds 1-3
The Athletic’s latest mock drafts
March 25: Seahawks 7-round mock draft 2.0
Armed with more picks, Michael-Shawn Dugar moves around the draft board to land two first-rounders.
March 24: New first-round mock
Ben Standig has the Seahawks looking to the FCS ranks for help along the O-line.
March 20: Beat writer mock draft 2.0
After a top talent slides, Michael-Shawn scoops him up at No. 18.
March 10: 3-round mock draft
Nick Baumgardner hits on a bunch of needs for the Seahawks, including offensive line, quarterback and safety.
March 4: Dane Brugler mock draft
Dane projects the Seahawks to grab a defensive playmaker in Round 1.
Feb. 13: Seahawks 7-round mock draft 1.0
Michael-Shawn gets Seattle some O-line help early, plus a developmental QB option.
(Photo of Kelvin Banks: Michael Wade / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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