A Leash For the 12th Man To Carry
This morning, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of the once-famed “Mike
and the Mad Dog” radio show did New York a solid. He made their sports fans
sound even more arrogant and thick-headed than their reputation would indicate.
This time, he unleashed his fury on the city of Seattle, and he couldn’t be
more wrong.
The Seattle Seahawks are off to their second Super Bowl in
team history. They have become a model NFL franchise in a span of four years.
In Pete Carroll’s first year as coach, the ‘Hawks made an improbable playoff
run, during which they knocked off the defending champion New Orleans Saints.
In the process, they resurrected the career of Marshawn Lynch, who gave birth
to “Beast Mode”. We all knew they weren’t ready for prime time, but it was a
foreshadowing of things to come.
Soon after, key defensive personnel like Earl Thomas and the
ever-outspoken Richard Sherman grew into their own. Two seasons ago, they
caught lightning in a bottle in the form of quarterback Russell Wilson.
Suddenly, they had another weapon on offense. Overnight, the Seahawks were a
force to be reckoned with.
The real star of the show, however, is the famous “12th
Man”. It has become a Seattle tradition for a local personality and/or former
athlete to raise the keynote 12th Man Flag atop the stadium and
lead the cheers of the crowd. Seahawks fans pride themselves in being the
loudest crowd in the NFL, bringing decibel levels over 100 with ease and making
it ever-so difficult for opposing teams. The Seahawks lost just one game at
home this past season.
Unfortunately, this is where Chris Russo comes in. This
morning, he took to Twitter and uttered the following:
One last thing- the city of
seattle has to realize that nobody else cares about this 12th man crap except
for one…. Sports fans don't care about Seattle, Washington. I like Chris Berman
but calm down about Seattle. No big deal they are NFC representative….
It's not Detroit or Cleveland. You get the idea they think they are the 2004
Red Sox. Calm down.
Maybe the Mad Dog is too used to seeing both local baseball
stadiums half-empty and its football stadium full of apathy. Perhaps he’s too
engrossed in his beloved tennis and has forgotten how real sports fans are
supposed to act in support of their team.
People who know me personally know the connection I have
with Seattle. Often overlooked because of its location relative to other major
media markets, the fact is Seattle is a huge sports city full of passionate
fans. The Seahawks are obviously beloved, but so is their other football team.
The Seattle Sounders FC average 44,000 fans per home game, the most of any MLS
franchise. The next biggest league draw, the Los Angeles Galaxy, brings in HALF
as many fans! Seattle has become THE place to watch soccer in the United
States.
As for the Mariners, I know from personal experience that,
as recent as ten years ago, Mariners games were a happening. Safeco Field was
packed and the fans adored their team. They still do, just not the people who
run the team. The M’s are a losing proposition these days, but we now know who’s at fault. Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner are legends in the northwest. I once
waited in line for two hours for autographs by Jeff Nelson and Rick Rizzs – at
a Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store!
And don’t even get me started on the Huskies. You want to
talk about a religious experience? They could outdraw the Lions and Browns any
day of the week (and probably beat them, too).
The point is that people care. People are excited for this
year’s Super Bowl. The Seahawks have yet another opportunity to beat the odds
and slay the giant. Isn’t that exactly what the 2004 Red Sox did? Peyton
Manning may very well be the Bambino of football. Nobody is more revered and
respected in his sport than Peyton.
Sure, teams like the Packers and Steelers have their own
mystique. From the Frozen Tundra to the Terrible Towels, every NFL franchise
has their traditions. The Seattle Seahawks have their fans, loud and proud.
They have an elite team with a tenacious D. I guarantee you, the Denver Broncos
care about Seattle right about now.
Usually, it’s Russo’s former partner that draws the ire of
social media. I used to enjoy Mad Dog’s rants in my younger days, but to me,
this is a closed-minded statement from a pompous individual looking to get his
name back out there. Six years ago, Chris Russo made one of the most ill-fated
career moves in recent memory. He left his prestigious #1 rated gig on the
biggest sports-talk radio station in the country (His show was simulcast on the
YES Network to boot.) to join Sirius/XM. Russo left a medium that was free for
his audience to consume in favor of a premium form of radio that people have to
pay for. He did this in the midst of a national recession.
I literally know two people who listen to satellite radio
today. Yes, Mad Dog was paid handsomely for his services, but then again, so
was Mike Francesa. People are quick to criticize Francesa, but that’s because
people care about what he has to say. If it weren’t for Chris Russo’s tweets, I
would forget he still had a career. Naturally, I’m giving Mad Dog the publicity
he craves, but he deserves to be called out of this “12th Man crap.”
It’s statements like his that make New York sports fans look
foolish. I have news for Russo. Mickey Mantle is long gone. Willie Mays is an
old man. The Yankee dynasties are a thing of the past, and even Mariano Rivera
is retired. Welcome to 2014. Professional sports exist outside of New York. Two
weeks from now, through the magic of technology, people in Laramie, Wyoming
will watch the same game as people in Midtown Manhattan. It doesn’t matter what
city you play in anymore. Everyone can see you perform and people outside of
New York are willing to pay you to perform. Just ask Robinson Cano.
The Super Bowl will always be special, especially to the
teams and the cities that are represented. I’m sure the Emerald City will be
more than willing to let the Seahawks take the 12th Man Flag, and a
large contingent of fans, with them. I hope Chris Russo can make it to Metlife
Stadium. I want him to see firsthand what it looks like when a team that nobody
cares about plays in the biggest game of the year.
Who knows? Maybe Richard Sherman will have something to say
to Mad Dog after the game as well!
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