Seahawks: Fostering An Environment Of Acceptance
Feb 5, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebackers at Super Bowl XLVIII victory parade on 4th Street. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Approximately 2.4 percent of college football players advance to play in the NFL. The number of players in the NFL during the 2013 season was in the neighborhood of 1,700, according to an unofficial census by Andrew Powell-Morse of Bestticketsblog. The breakdown of race among players:
http://www.besttickets.com/blog/unofficial-2013-nfl-census/
The NFL is filled with diverse backgrounds, social status, religion, race and education. Coaches who have had success in this league are master communicators. They know how to take a melting pot of players and, for a full season, make them believe they are one. Enter Pete Carroll and his genius. During Super Bowl week much was reported about the Seahawks unique practice methods. Players are encouraged to be who they are. There is no fear of being ridiculed because of race, religion or family circumstances. In the Seahawks locker room you have a family of guys who will support you no matter where you’re from. It’s an environment created by Pete Carroll and John Schneider. There’s an influence of an owner in Paul Allen who would never tolerate an awful situation like the one in Miami. If you can play, be respectful to the uniform and give your heart to your brothers, Seattle will find a place for you.
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (middle) places his arms around team owner Paul Allen (left) and general manager John Schneider (right) after Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There is no doubt the situation in Miami has caused embarrassment to the Dolphins organization and the NFL. Fans of the game were, for the most part, disgusted. Many mistakes were made by several men and the fallout has been disastrous. Out of the rubble came questions about whether the players involved would find a team willing to take them. Is there a team in the NFL with enough character to take in such a damaged individual and integrate them to their system? New England with Belichick? Green Bay with McCarthy? No question the leadership that exists within those great organization is solid. What about Seattle? Leadership, integrity, brotherhood, equality. I am in no way saying this is a possibility. At this point in the off-season the number of ideas being tossed around in Renton are many. I do believe Seattle is a unique organization with the ability to make a player feel they have a home and a family within the organization.
Before we view the situation in Miami as a normal occurrence in NFL locker rooms, let’s try to focus on those teams built to create a positive work environment. After all, these are human beings who have needs, insecurities and at times doubt about their abilities. We cheer for them, we put them on a pedestal and quite often we ask far too much of them. Our Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl Champions and there is a great sense of pride from Seattle to Spokane and far beyond. The class of the Seahawk organization should also bring a sense of pride. And just maybe with all the unrest in the world that is a greater accomplishment. Maybe.