Seattle Seahawks: Can Nice Guys Finish First?

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks have become one of the most hated teams in the NFL, outside of Seattle of course. That’s not all bad news. The most successful teams are bound to generate haters. There is little love lost between most of the country and the ’90s Dallas Cowboys, the 2000s LA Lakers, and any year New York Yankees. Success breeds contempt from the competition.

And it’s not like many of the Seahawks are too concerned with winning the love of a nation. Star corner back Richard Sherman talks trash with the best of them. His “You mad bro?” comment to future Hall of Famer Tom Brady is a small example of the confidence he can spout. It’s a confidence held by all the players that many see as an unflattering cockiness.

Couple that with the suspensions for substance abuse and the Seahawks have become the team many NFL fans love to hate. Even the happy-go-lucky coach Carroll had to endure a scathing article (if you can call it that) by Norman Chad, who has earned the title public enemy number one amongst the 12^th man.

But are the men in blue real as bad as many make them out to be? Let’s take a look at some of the off the field activities of the Seahawks stars this season.

Russell Wilson

No one can dispute that Wilson is one of the “good guys” of the NFL. Even morning he tweets inspirational quotes from the Bible. He takes weekly visits to Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he spends a good amount of time visiting with the patients. ESPN did a special feature on the connection Wilson made with one patient when she made him a wallet.

Richard Sherman

The ‘Hawk many despise the most is actually one of the most generous players in the NFL. He doesn’t flaunt it, but his Blanket Coverage foundation has made it possible for hundreds of children to have proper clothes and school supplies. On Christmas Day for their “Holiday Give Back,” Sherman and others from Blanket Coverage surprised nine needy families with a truckload of presents.

Earl Thomas

This year Earl Thomas is beginning to get recognition as the best free safety in the league. He has not let the new-found attention get to his head. He plays hard and gives even harder. He recently began the Earl Thomas III Guardian Angel Foundation that gives to the needy and provides camps to help young athletes down the right path.

Marshawn Lynch 

As we have seen this past week, Lynch isn’t very vocal with the media. But he has often participated in fundraising events near his hometown in the bay area. He donates time and money to collect food and clothing around the holidays, such as the Family First Turkey Drive in Oakland, Calif.

So despite the reputation they may have been unfairly given, the stars for the Seahawks are stand up guys. Perhaps they can also be the last team standing on Feb. 2.

Hopefully in this case, the nice guys won’t finish last.