Seattle, WA
Taking Unorthodox Path to Seattle Seahawks, Jack Westover Savoring NFL Opportunity
RENTON, Wash. – Undrafted rookies have odds squarely stacked against them to make an NFL roster, trying to scratch and claw for reps with established veterans and draft picks ahead of them on the depth chart and little to no margin for error when opportunity strikes.
It’s safe to say that rookies in general rarely arrive at their first NFL training camp with a head start on the rest of the competition, especially undrafted signees. But in yet another unconventional chapter in his anything but typical football story, Seattle Seahawks tight end Jack Westover has had everyone from quarterback Geno Smith to receiver DK Metcalf in his ear as the team learns new coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense, which the undrafted rookie starred in at Washington the past two seasons.
Thriving in Grubb’s offense, Westover evolved from a former walk-on into one of Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr.’s most trusted targets in clutch situations, catching 77 passes for 775 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. Now, he’s trying to keep his NFL dream alive playing for the local team in an offense that he knows inside and out, which has made him a popular teammate in meeting rooms and on the field.
“I think the coolest thing for me is just being able to come in and have the respect of the vets, as far as the playbook goes X’s and O’s wise, just having that respect,” Westover said prior to Seattle’s third training camp practice. “Then obviously, having gone on the field and earned a different type of respect as far as playstyle, and so it’s been cool to be able to just have that conversation with them and have them just be open to it.”
Long before sporting a navy blue No. 89 practice jersey for the first time in May, eight years ago, Westover wasn’t even on the radar as a Division I football prospect. Known more for his basketball talents, he decided to give football another shot entering his senior year at Mount Si High School, located 25 minutes east of downtown Seattle.
Jumping right into the starting lineup at tight end, Westover made an immediate impact for the Wildcats potent offense. Unfortunately, his lone season with the program came to an abrupt end when he suffered a season-ending injury as he plowed over a defender at the goal line for a touchdown in the second game, preventing him from having an opportunity to emerge as a rising late recruit in the Pacific Northwest.
But Westover didn’t give up on his dream despite the adversity and thanks to his athletic profile and raw skills, he remained on the radar for several local programs. Rather than play for a smaller school and potentially transfer down the road, he chose to walk on at Washington, taking the challenging path of paying his own way to school with hopes of earning a scholarship.
Though he didn’t play in any games as a freshman with the Huskies redshirting him and he received some tough on the job lessons trying to block against future NFL defensive ends such as Joe Tryon on the practice field, Westover earned the Brian Stapp Special Teams Scout Squad MVP that year, setting the stage for him to see action in 2019.
“You definitely learn the hard way when you’re blocking Joe Tryon, who has seven foot wingspan, and then you’re just basically a basketball player at that point,” Westover laughed. “I’m coming in and just learning the game, but you definitely learned the hard way and I was able to go up against some really good defensive ends that wound up in the NFL.”
Packing on muscle to his frame during his time on campus and developing himself into a quality all-around player, Westover blossomed into a 250-pound tight end over the course of six seasons with the Huskies program. After struggling as a blocker early in his college career, with the extra work in the weight room paying dividends, he learned how to win at the point of attack despite lacking prototypical size and length for the tight end position.
“I knew I’m not gonna be able to block the same way as other tight ends because I’m a little shorter, not as long as them,” Westover added. “But I think being able to utilize my speed, my quickness, my feet, beating guys off the ball, getting my feet in the ground quicker than other guys, that’s something that I just had to understand. It had to be a strength of mine compared to the other way around.”
Along with growing into a competent blocker who could hold his own either as an inline tight end or an H-back, Westover continued to make a significant impact as a pass catcher, dropping just four passes on 114 targets and posting a 76.3 percent catch rate during five seasons. Playing a key role in Washington’s ascent to a national championship game berth, he caught five passes on six targets in a loss to Michigan, standing out as a bright spot in defeat while playing through an injury.
Recovering from ruptured ligament in his wrist, Westover didn’t participate in athletic testing at the NFL combine, but he returned to catch passes from Penix and run the 3-cone drill and short shuttle at Washington’s pro day on March 28. Going undrafted, it didn’t take long for the Seahawks to lock him up as one of their priority free agents, linking him back up with Grubb, who joined new coach Mike Macdonald’s staff as offensive coordinator in February after spending a few days in the same role at Alabama.
Living the dream as a hometown kid donning a Seahawks uniform, Westover’s presence has been notable since his first practice in May, as his experience in Grubb’s scheme has been evident during team drills. When he has had opportunities to work with Smith, the quarterback has shown plenty of confidence in him, and backup Sam Howell ended Friday’s practice session by finding him in the red zone period for a touchdown in the flats.
While Westover has been a welcomed resource for his new teammates due to his knowledge of the new offense, he has remained a sponge learning as much as he can watching how veterans Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown handle their business on and off the field with intent and purpose. Both players have also been more than happy to answer questions and offer advice for the rookie along the way, making his transition to the next level “pretty smooth” thus far.
As an undrafted signee, Westover will have an uphill climb to make Seattle’s 53-man roster, especially with fellow rookie AJ Barner coming on board as a fourth-round pick out of Michigan. With most teams carrying three tight ends on the active roster, he will have to show out on special teams to improve his chances of landing one of the final spots, and a major litmus tests awaits with the first padded practice coming on Monday as he begins to test his mettle blocking NFL defenders.
But considering he wasn’t on anyone’s radar as an NFL prospect not that long ago and overcame no shortage of obstacles to reach this point with the Seahawks, Westover continues to take the experience in stride, thankful for the chance to battle for a spot on the team to begin with. Holding a unique advantage with his insight on Grubb’s offense, he’s confident he can execute as a receiver, blocker, and special teamer to the level necessary to make the team, and he’s excited to see how he stacks up as training camp unfolds.
“There’s not a lot of people that have my background, my story, not really playing high school football to walking on and making it to here. So just grateful.”
Seattle, WA
VIDEO: Scream Club Seattle keeps growing, midway through first year
(Story originally posted 8:22 pm, updated 12:32 am)
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
From a distance, they looked like a regular crowd of people enjoying a nice evening walk on the shores of Lincoln Park. But they were gathered here for a singular purpose: to scream. Since September 2025, the Scream Club Seattle has met at Lincoln Park on every third Sunday to scream, led by head organizer Amber Walcker. No explanation, justification, or invitation to scream is needed – come as you are. “There are some harder emotions people come here to deal with, sure, but some people also just come to scream.” head organizer Amber explained.
Tonight’s crowd showed the club is rapidly growing. From around a dozen or so participants in the first gathering in September, tonight seemed to attract around 40 people gathering to let it all out.
As the sun started to set, and everyone was finally gathered together, the Scream Club was ready to begin.
There are only three screams, organizer Amber explained. The first, she said, is a scream to get used to doing it in public. The second scream is there to ground you. And the final – and longest scream – is there to let you have an emotional catharsis.
She also wanted to make sure people were taking care of their vocal health beforehand. As she told everyone to walk a little bit from the meeting place and start to gather near the shore, she instructed the crowd to hum for a few minutes on the way, to warm up the vocal cords.
With that, the crowd walked towards the shore.
“On the count of one – two – three – scream!” said organizer Amber.
You can see our video of the proceedings here. After the screaming, we talked to a few participants about why they came out.
“There’s not one thing that’s really making me want to scream. There’s a lot of stuff going on for me, a lot of emotional ups and downs. Screaming into the ocean together gives you a sense of community.” said Jessie.
“This is my third or fourth time coming to scream. With the political climate, with everything that’s happening, getting together with local community to scream feels more productive than screaming into the internet on social media.” said Ursula.
“This is my first time coming out.” said Liz. “I screamed after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, and I really felt something. I realized I’ve been feeling a lot of frustration recently, and it felt like coming here was a healthy way to get it out rather than screaming at your neighbors.”
Organizer Amber recognizes much of what they were saying. “Meeting like this can be an important element to have in your mental health toolbox. It’s rare to have scream therapy.” She shared an anecdote about the therapeutic origins of the group, which originally started with a chapter in Chicago. “The founder was a life coach. Their girlfriend was having a bad day, and they encouraged them to go to the Chicago Pier and just let it out. He walked her through the process, and that was that. Eventually they invited more people to come do it.” She hopes to bring that same therapeutic energy to the practice here. “It’s a moment of emotional release more than anything else. Depending on what’s going on in people’s minds, everyone will come here with a different mindset and purpose. We’re providing a safe space to do that.”
Scream Club Seattle meets at Lincoln Park on the first Sunday of every month, and they are also starting to meet on the third Sunday of every month at Golden Gardens in Ballard. Tentatively, the next events will be in Lincoln Park on April 5th around 6 PM, and Golden Gardens on March 15th around 5 PM. If you’d like to know more, you can find them on Instagram here or look at their future events on their Eventbrite page here.
Seattle, WA
Detectives Investigating Robbery, Shooting Over $20 Necklace – SPD Blotter
Seattle police detectives are investigating a robbery and shooting of a 23-year-old man over a $20 necklace in Pioneer Square this morning.
At about 12:40 a.m., patrol officers responded to a shooting in the 500 block of 2nd Avenue. There, they found a victim, bleeding, with a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Police and the Seattle Fire Department treated his injury. Medics took him to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in stable condition.
Police determined that the victim just left a bar, getting into the passenger seat of his friend’s car, when the suspect, wearing a ski mask and armed with a firearm, approached him and demanded his necklace. They struggled over the item, and the suspect shot the victim in the leg. The shooter fled in a vehicle with the necklace before police arrived. The value of the “chain” is about $20.
Detectives in the Robbery Unit responded to the scene and HMC. Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are accepted.
Incident Number: 2026-57536
Seattle, WA
Fast Start for Kraken Win, Homestand | Seattle Kraken
That stretch begins with five more home games: A skilled and successful Carolina squad Monday, followed by St. Louis (for the second time in a week) Wednesday, Ottawa next Saturday, then Nashville (just behind Seattle in the West wild-card race) on March 10 and then finishing with Western Conference leader Colorado March 12.
Stars Shine and Star-Crossed Hat Trick
Vince Dunn opened the scoring in his 600th NHL game. Jordan Eberle topped the best Kraken-season goals mark with his 21st and 22nd goals of the year, with 23 games left to flirt with his first 30-plus goals on the year since his sophomore season in 2011-12. Joey Daccord registered 27 saves on the victorious night, including nine high-danger chances in the first 40 minutes alone.
To the fans’ disappointment, the slick-stickhandling Daccord missed a historic goalie goal by inches. But the sellout crowd was rewarded when Eberle cashed in on the Vancouver empty net. Eberle now has four two-goal games this season.
In a bizarre twist, when Eberle scored that empty-netter, Kraken fans rightfully cheered and tossed headwear for what was presumed to be a hat-trick score. But after Eberle scored, the scoring change on the Kraken’s power play goal was announced when off-ice officials realized Eberle’s shot had just ever-so-slightly deflected off Matty Beniers’ skate. So no hat trick for the second time this season. Linemate Jared McCann and hat-tossing fans thought the Kraken’s all-time leading scorer had notched a hat trick earlier this season, only to have it reversed when an offside infraction by, wait for it, Beniers, erased the goal.
Eberle joked post-game that maybe fans deserved some hats. The Kraken captain also said when Daccord missed by inches on his goalie goal, he was on the bench saying, “he got it, he got it.” Post-game, Eberle said, “It’s just a matter of time before he gets one” because he greatly admires the goaltender’s puck-handling skills.
The Kraken came out fast Saturday night with two goals, a couple of near-misses, lots of scoring attempts and pucks on net during the first 20 minutes. One near-miss was a hard wrist shot from Jordan Eberle that clanged off the far post. But no matter, Eberle scored a pivotal goal in the second period, getting in front of a Vancouver shot and chasing his own ricochet to create a breakaway with his still-elite speed. The 35-year-old Seattle captain went to his lethal backhand to beat Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen. Eberle’s tally re-upped the two-goal lead.
Good night for Kraken special teams as well. The penalty killer snuffed an early third period Canucks power play to keep the two-score cushion. Later third period, Matty Beniers scored on the power play, deflecting an Eberle shot, to push the score to 4-1. Chandler Stephenson earned his second point of the night with the primary assist. Same for Dunn, who notched the second assist. The Kraken needed just 10 seconds to score the man-advantage marker.
Captaining His Best Kraken Season…
It is Eberle’s 21st goal of the season. The next one he scores will set a new high as a Kraken for the teammate everyone calls “Ebs.” That makes it three of five seasons that Eberle has scored 20 or more goals. Eberle almost scored again later second period when matching cross-checking penalties on SEA forward Kaapo Kakko and VAN defenseman Filip Hronek. The ensuing 4-on-4 play was dominated by the Kraken quartet of Eberle, Matty Beniers, Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans. Beniers stood with some moves and an improv that had future Hall of Fame play-by-play man John Forslund saying, “Beniers did everything but score.” It was heartening to see Seattle flexing its offensive chops with a 3-1 lead.
The Kraken scored twice in an opening 20 minutes played to order, returning to the hard forechecking game they exhibited on a heater 10-game streak before the Olympic break. The starting goalie did his part, stopping all nine of Vancouver’s shots in the first 20 minutes to bring confidence to the first-intermission home locker room.
Jumping Out of the Starting Blocks
The Kraken faithful were mega-decibel loud during the announcement of the starting lineups, welcoming back Olympian bronze medalists Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen, as well as Seattle teammates. This week’s two road losses forgotten, replaced by rousing cheers for starters and fourth-liners Freddy Gaudreau, centering Jacob Melanson and Ben Meyers (on the wing for the first since a road matchup in LA right before the winter holiday break).
Defenseman Cale Fleury and Ryker Evans rounded out the skaters in front of Joey Daccord. It’s not a stretch to think head coach Lane Lambert was sending a message with his fourth line and third pair getting the first shift after losing two games in the Midwest by a composite score of 9-2.
Saturday morning, both defenseman Vince Dunn and Lambert both talked about what would be the ideal first 10 to 20 minutes in this Pacific Division showdown with rival Vancouver.
“We need to play simple and hard and direct,” said Dunn, who was playing in his 600th NHL game, 333 with Seattle. “I think we’re very connected when we can get our forecheck going. I think the way we play as a five-man unit is that we slow teams down and don’t get scrambled in our own end. We’re more patient in our own end and letting guys accept their positions and roles and areas that they need to defend in.
“Right away, we need to start shooting pucks … the past two games, the shot count hasn’t been where we wanted it to be in the first 10 minutes. So let’s get some looks and see what happens. Let’s see if we can get the other team scrambling.”
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