Qwest Field opens for business
In the span of a year, the Seahawks went from leaving town to planning a new stadium.
After three more seasons in the Kingdome followed by two in Husky Stadium, the 12th Man would at long last bid welcome to the Seahawks new stadium.
Little did they know, it would come to define the Seahawks fanbase and proved a Mecca for the 12th Man nation-wide.
To continue...
Goodbye Kingdome
The Kingdome was home to the Seahawks for 24 years and home to the Mariners for 22. But on March 26, 2000, the building was imploded to make way for the new football stadium.
Some loved the Kingdome, some absolutely hated it (mostly Mariners fans), but no one could deny that Seattle sports lost an important bit of history on that day.
For years, the building had been known as one of the loudest in the country. Much of this was due to the concrete structure and closed dome roof, and many had legitimate concerns whether the new Qwest Field could match the ear-shattering decibel levels reached at the Kingdome.
Home-field advantage
Owner Paul Allen knew the importance of the 12th Man, and he made steps to ensure the stadium would act as an effective conduit for fan vocal cords.
The roof was constructed to direct noise onto the field while the metal bleachers would reflect any sound.
It didn't take long for the 12th Man to feel at home, and by the team's second year at Qwest Field, they would go an undefeated 8-0 while at home.
By 2005, the league's best home-field advantage became nationally known after the 12th Man forced the New York Giants into a league-record 11 false starts, amidst allegations of artificial noise.
From 2003-2007, the Seahawks would compile a 25-6 regular season home record, including two undefeated seasons.
Qwest Field - Home of the 12th Man
Today, the stadium has become a national symbol for the Seahawks and their wild fanbase.
While the 12th Man had been rockin' since the 70's in the Kingdome, it wasn't until Qwest Field came along that Seattle would gain the kind of recognition it deserved as one of the best fanbases in the NFL.
So long as the 12th Man flag hangs high in one of the finest stadiums in the country, the Seahawks will always have at least one thing to hang their hat on.
Part 10 - "We want the ball, and we're gonna score."
Part 9 - Alexander breaks the record for touchdowns in a half
Part 8 - Jay Feely blows three field goals, Seattle wins in overtime
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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