Super Seahawks Experience first-person column

Super Seahawks experience Feb. 5, 2014 I've always thought it was crazy to sit outside in freezing cold temperatures in snowy conditions for a football game. To pay hundreds — and in this instance, thousands — of dollars to watch a game in person seems absurd to many, including myself. And if you’re not a sports fan, you’ll probably never understand. But when my hometown team, the Seattle Seahawks, defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game last month, I was ready to follow them to the Super Bowl. It was time to collect our first NFL title. So my brother, sister-in-law and myself were New Jersey-bound. On the eve of the biggest football game of the year, our first friendly sighting was a plane flying over MetLife Stadium, pulling the signature blue 12th Man flag, in recognition of loyal Hawks fans. Seattle already was making its presence known in New York and New Jersey. Twelfth-Man supporters filled 13 blocks around Times Square, where a stretch called Super Bowl Boulevard immersed fans in the hyped-up weekend festivities. Fans could have photos taken next to the actual Lombardi Trophy, stand in front of the oversized Roman numerals representing the Super Bowl and even slide down a 60-foot toboggan run. But the main event was the game. After a 10-minute train ride, we arrived at MetLife Stadium five hours before kickoff. As we stood in the security line, we had our pictures taken with the parents of Seattle Pro Bowl defensive studs Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas III. We bought souvenir programs and merchandise and took even more photos. I even fist-bumped four-time NBA world champion Shaquille O’Neal as he walked through the crowd. Finally, we made our way to our seats, in the corner of the Denver Broncos’ end zone, 12 rows up. It was incredible. Looking around the stadium, Broncos fans wearing orange stood out, but the presence of the 12th Man stood out even more. Just 12 seconds into the game, Seattle scored on a safety and those loyal fans from the Pacific Northwest could sense the stars were aligned. It was amazing to watch up-close the NFL’s No. 1 defense completely shut down its No. 1 offense. The Seahawks defense proved to the world how quick, athletic and dominant they are. Then came the first play of the second half. Again, it took just 12 seconds for Percy Harvin to return a kickoff 87 yards all the way to the end zone. Was it a coincidence that the number 12 was a theme in this game? I think not. Once the game ended at 43-8, blue and green confetti blasted into the air. It was an indescribable moment for die-hard Seattle sports fans — considering Forbes named Seattle the most miserable sports city in America just last year. Our moment finally was here. Three Seattle fans in front of me said they were in Detroit in 2006 when the Seahawks lost in their only other Super Bowl appearance. It was a heartbreaking defeat that has stuck with Hawks fans long enough. But Super Bowl XLVIII, which was supposed to be the coldest of them all, was our time — redemption time for the city of Seattle, its 12th Man supporters, the players and the organization. It was an all-around team performance by a group whose players had no Super Bowl experience. They shut down arguably one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. This unit proved they are a serious threat — not only defensively — to be reckoned with, as long as Pete Carroll continues to mold his team to play hard all the way to the end. This looks to be the first title with many more to come from this high-soaring team. For me, it was an once-in-a-lifetime moment I’ll never forget. The only way my experience could have been better was if the rest of my family, including my grandpas, could have been there to share in this long-awaited moment. My first Super Bowl experience was priceless. Go Hawks!

Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas III---Seattle loves ya!!!

Last week it was Earl Thomas III signing a 4-year contract extension as one of the best safety's in the NFL and now today it was Sherman's turn. We knew he was the best cornerback in the league and luckily he will remain with the Hawks after signing his own 4-year deal. Congratulations to these Legion of Boom All-Pro defensive studs who were a huge reason why the Hawks won its first Super Bowl title this year. Go Seahawks!!!

Mr. Reliable MVP

In 2007, Kevin Durant was the second pick in the NBA draft and went to my Seattle SuperSonics. It was a great year, but sadly the team was relocated to Oklahoma City. That will always be a heartbreaking loss for dedicated Sonics fans like myself. Since 2008, I never stopped supporting and cheering for Durant. He is a class-act and unbelievable basketball player and person. Tuesday was a great day as Durant earned his first MVP award. If you haven't seen his speech you have to do so, here's the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/05/07/watch-kevin-durant-call-his-mother-the-real-mvp-in-emotional-speech/ . You learn so much more about who he is as a person and how every day he continues to use his platform as an NBA player to do bigger and better things. Congratulations KD for another incredible season and well deserved recognition as this year's MVP.

PBA50 Tour brings history to The Villages

The top 5 included all PBA Hall of Famers: Walter Ray Williams Jr., Pete Weber, Norm Duke, Parker Bohn III and Tom Baker. I had a front row seat watching this historic stepladder finals. In the end, it was the smaller yet mightest bowler, Norm Duke who won three matches to earn his first PBA50 title. Congrats Stormin' Normin!

PBA50 Tour Pro-Am

The PBA50 Tour came to The Villages April 19. During the Pro-Am I was lucky enough to bowl with PBA play-by-play commentator, Randy Pedersen, and the legendary, Pete Weber. It was a fun experience that made me want to get back into bowling, for sure.

Super Bowl experience

My brother and I had the chance to meet the parents of two Legend of Boom players: Earl Thomas III and Richard Sherman, as we went through the security line before the big game! Once the game was over, beautiful blue and green confetti flew in the air.