Way? No way. Way.
In September 2013, just five months ago, I flew my wife and kids to Seattle, sat them down in CenturyLink Stadium and made them watch the Seattle Seahawks play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The week before I’d been at the same place and seen the Seahawks destroy the San Francisco 49ers, while they watched on TV. It was such a great game, they had as much fun in the hotel room as I did in the stands. I would’ve loved to have them there too but tickets were wildly expensive – and I wasn’t confident about my behaviour if the game had been close. I had no reservations about the Jaguars game and it played as expected – a lopsided victory that gave them plenty of opportunities to cheer and squeal and revel in public.
It was the right time to give my kids their first international flight, their first taste of life in another country, and more importantly, I knew in my gut it was essential for them to see the Seahawks this season. This special season. Ok everyone, watch the team closely. This is the team, The Season, and you’re all here for it. Now yell!
On Monday, 20th January 2014, my whole family sat here in our little Australian house and cheered, squealed and fretted as the NFC Championship game unfolded. After that last beat, when the Immaculate Deflection sealed the Seahawks victory over the 49ers, all four of us exhaled, then exploded with joy. Victory! Go Seahawks! Woo-hoo! We’re going to the Super Bowl!
Hmmm, going to the Super Bowl eh? I looked up the costs involved – impossible. Been a fan for 22 years, lived through the horrors of Super Bowl XL, waited for this chance to scale the heights – but no. I could be happy watching from here with my family. Wonderful to share it with them. Yep.
On Tuesday 28th January, six days before Super Bowl XLVIII, I checked all the prices again – as you do – and found everything changed. Fear of snow had halved Super Bowl ticket prices and airline prices had halved too. Outside it was 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) - I had no fear of the cold.
So now the impossible was merely ridiculous. How ridiculous a fan am I?, I asked my family and friends. The answer was unanimous: you are a ridiculous fan. By 3am I’d booked my flights, accommodation and most important of all, a seat at the biggest party of my life. After all, this is The Season. I have to be there for it. I have to yell.
My kids weren't thrilled about losing me, but I explained there might be treats in my suitcases when I returned (that worked). Other Aussie Seahawks fans got in touch via twitter, all wanting to come along. I became aware that this wasn't just about me - this journey represented the dreams and aspirations of many others, too. Could I be this fortunate?
Friday 31th January, at 11:20am, I looked out the window of a United 747 as it left the Australian soil and it was all real – I was going to the Super Bowl too.
Spreadin' the News
My first stop was Los Angeles. The customs officer asked me why I’d come to America, despite my Wilson jersey and my boarding pass for New York. “You goin’ to the Super Bowl? You might as well stay back home and watch some seaGULLS! They ain’t got NO chance!” Some of the other officers heard and laughed too. I laughed, for entirely different reasons.
The United guys at my departure gate were into it – “Yeah, go Seahawks!”- but I was a little surprised there were no other fans around. Later I learned I was a day early, LAX was full of 12s on Saturday. Friday it was just me, boarding a flight to Newark wondering where everyone was.
After crossing the Pacific (duration: 14 hours), crossing America (dur: 5 hours) was a breeze. New York, all ablaze in the dark evening, looked magnificent as we landed.
We passed right over MetLife Stadium and I think I even saw the Statue of Liberty.
At last, heading to the baggage carousels, I started to see 12s. Wilsons, Shermans, Thomases, Lynches, the whole extended family. It was the beginning of a weekend brimming with camaraderie and warmth, despite so many of us being strangers in a cold city.
I caught the train to New York City with a young guy who’d just flown over from London for the game. Left work, got on a plane, flown over. Was going back to work on Monday. I was stunned ‘til he explained that Heathrow was only 7 measly hours away. A leisurely stroll! Still, I loved the guy’s commitment. 12s are world-wide, and our passion is equal to any found in Seattle. Hope you all know that by now.
After dropping my stuff at my hotel I wandered up 7th Avenue to Times Square. Cries of “Go Hawks!” everywhere. An incredible first evening in New York City /Seattle East / Other-Side-Of-The-World-But-Home.
The next day the streets were packed, the air was buzzing and I was swept along with the mostly-blue crowd.
As the sign said, "Bring It Home For The 12th Man!"
Buildings were dominated by Super Bowl combatants - Richard Sherman particularly was everywhere (shock).
Walk through the door at Macy's and the first thing you'd see was a Seahawks t-shirt:
Outside, it was Be-A-Seahawk photo op time:
There were little Seahawks nests all over the city like this one:
And celebrities! In front of me at the signing stage was Elvis:
And the huge toboggan run on Broadway caught Elmo's eye:
My evening ended by the light of the blue and green Empire State Building. What an impossibly lovely sight it makes (and did the next night too!).
I tried not to stay up late - tried and failed - cos who can sleep when you're in New York City and your team is playing the Super Bowl the next day? Could it all feel any more fairy tale than that??
Yes, yes it could ...
To Be Continued
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