Thanksgiving is almost upon us and 2023 is a bit different for 12s than other seasons. That is because the Seattle Seahawks play on Thanksgiving night against the San Francisco 49ers in a battle for the lead in the NFC West. Let's just hope a Seahawks win or loss doesn't make or break your Thanksgiving.
But if you were looking to have a member or former member of the Seattle football organization over for your Thanksgiving meal, who might you want? There is no wrong answer, of course. Most any Seahawk would be a welcome guest.
I have three options below and why I have included them. The last person is likely obvious. But the other two would be excellent as well.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll
How fun would it be for Pete Carroll to have a seat at the Thanksgiving table? His positivity would keep at bay all those classic family squabbles. How can people argue with Carroll around, unless they are arguing about the coaching of Pete Carrol himself? (People have the right to debate how good a certain coach is, but they shouldn't assume they know more than the coach and Pete Carroll, specifically, has been pretty successful since coming to Seattle in 2010.)
Carroll could talk about decades of coaching experience and life experience and how he came to have so much overt positivity. Plus, maybe he will slip how he sees the future of the team and what changes he thinks will occur over the next couple of years. "Tell us, Coach Carroll, who do you see as QB1 in Week 1 of 2025?"
The other part about Carroll being a guest on Thanksgiving is one might have to be creative in what they serve. He is unlikely to stay long because he has to get back to getting ready for the next game. Plus, just think of all the gum-flavored foods one has to make. Gum-flavored turkey, gum-flavored stuffing...The gum-flavored cranberry relish might be easy.
Receiver/great person Tyler Lockett
Tyler Lockett, like Carroll, is just going to bring a light of sunshine and light to your Thanksgiving gathering. Most likely, you will end up talking about a lot of things other than football. Former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright recently said on his Seattle Sports 710 AM show that he often relied on Lockett to help him get over a bad game as Lockett stays level-headed and forward-looking. Wright also said that Lockett talks...a lot. That is a great thing.
Possibly just as Lockett is about to leave you can give him a gift. You will, of course, need to work this out beforehand with family and friends, but the best thing to give Lockett is a monetary donation to his Light It Up foundation. Maybe you could donate online and then take a screenshot and print that out? You do you.
But if you have young children who want to be receivers in the house, what better guy to gather some bits of wisdom from than Tyler Lockett? He doesn't have great size, and while he is quick, he isn't Tyreke Hill fast. He needs to use his intelligence and experience to get open and he can likely pass some of that info on in just a few words to young football players.
As far as what to eat when Lockett is there, that might depend on when you have Thanksgiving. If he comes over the day before the game, you will probably want to have a bunch of carbs and some protein. That way he can fuel up for the game. But just no turkey. We don't want Lockett being sleepy during the game.
The most interesting man in the world: Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch seems to have a way of fitting in everywhere. He can be interviewing people on a golf course, or talking to the guys on the SmartLess podcast, or managing his Beast Mode product line. He is clever, funny, listens pretty well, and should enough good stories to las for about 100 Thanksgiving dinners.
Unlike Carroll and Lockett, Marshawn Lynch does not have to get ready for a football game soon after the meal is done. He can stay for as long as he wants to hang around. You will need to make sure he is happy with the cuisine, though. Sure, maybe have some skittles. But you will need to have some soul food, too. This is a guy who once bought his favorite restaurant, Scend’s Restaurant and Bar in Oakland, California, just so they would stay open.
Before Lynch arrives and spouts forth his wisdom, you might need to explain to other family members what Marshawn Lynch means by taking care of their chickens. They might be somewhat confused, especially if they do not actually own any of the birds themselves. But if they really listen to what Lynch has to say, they will have a better understanding of how to take care of their money.
But Marshawn Lynch does seem to be everywhere at once nowadays. Maybe you will just get one part of Lynch and the other Lynch's are exploring their own multiverses. Still, just be happy you have one version ejoying Thanksgiving with you.