The 12th Man flag firmly planted in Renton

I’ve experienced the grand cathedrals of England, meant to inspire awe in both visitor and the faithful.

That’s happening right now, in Renton, on the shores of Lake Washington. Only this, one might argue, is a cathedral to football.

No it’s not some grand stadium, where there’s not bad seat in the house. And, some might argue, it’s just a place for people to work in an office and for big men to get ready for their jobs on Sunday.

But it is grand, just the same, and just a bit disorienting in his sheer size. Everything is big, right down to the “school desks” meant to fit a linebacker.

This week, the public and media got some of the first views of the inside of the new Seattle Seahawks headquarters and practice facility – the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in north Renton.

The Seahawks have taken the keys to their new facility. The big moving day is coming up and the players got a taste of the new facilities in a practice on Wednesday. Practices will resume in Kirkland and the fans will have to wait until next season to sit on a grassy berm and watch their team practice.

Most anyone can understand what it’s like to move. You really don’t want too many visitors until everything is put away. That’s kind of where the Seahawks are right now. The team is carefully managing expectations now, but watch as it rolls out over the next few months all that it has planned for fans and the community, in part through its partner, Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Still, we can’t let the arrival of the Seahawks go unmarked.

The Renton Reporter is putting together a special section for later this month that will include interesting stories and facts about the team, a schedule, lots of photos, and, yes, even the 12th Man – you, the football faithful.

Most every fan must have a favorite Seahawks moment to share. And there must be numerous digital photos out there of the fans in their Seahawks finery.

Please share those with us, by e-mailing them to dean.radford@rentonreporter.com. Keep the favorite moment to no more than 100 words. And please include the names and hometowns of those in the photographs. We’ll run as many as space allows in the special section.

Thanks

Contact Renton Reporter Editor Dean Radford at editor@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5050.

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