What News Won’t Tell You About Seahawk’s BIG Win. UNITE

“There is a King in every crowd”, Russell Wilson’s Dad used to tell him.

For the Seattle Seahawks, we here in the Northwest like to think that King
Russell’s Dad is referring to, is us.  We pride ourselves on blue and green.  We throw parties and chant in a deep voice, fist pounding in the air, “Go Hawks”.

We have pride; Seahawks pride. Northwest Pride.  Pride for our team. Pride in the fact that anything small can eventually become great; with hard work, enthusiasm, and the 12th man rooting.

Some might say we have too much pride.  That we rose to grip the Lumbardi Trophy last night simply because of luck.  Others might attribute our success to us simply “believing” enough.

But that’s not the case.  The big win last night was more than that.

There are a few things you may not know about the Seahawks. Things that are vital to our win, the very core and heart of who we are; as players, as a team, as the 12th man.

Did you notice, the Seahawks bowed their knees last night, still jerzeed-up, there in the center of Metlife field?  They gripped hands, in a circle, in front of thousand…regardless of the media.

This isn’t something new. The Seahawk’s prayed and did devotions every morning in the locker room before each and every practice. They spent spare time visiting sick kids in hospitals, doing Bible Study’s on Saturday nights, and even making a video about their faith-walk entitled, “The Making of a Champion”. (Watch here.)

“We’re not just Seahawk players. We’re not just football players. We’re here for much more than that”, offensive tackle Russell Okung told Chrisma Magazine, here. “We’re followers of Christ and it’s important for people to know this about us.”

After half a dozen Seahawks told Pastor Mark Driscoll, pre-win…“Jesus is better than the Superbowl” (see full video here) the media stayed clear of interviewing any Seahawks who might blurt out anything about faith and Christianity.  As if sports and God should have nothing in common.

But Christianity is what the soil of our homeland is made of. Christianity is who we are, regardless of secular media trying to dissuade the world from believing it.

And after the win, it wasn’t rote praise or empty, humble-appearing thanks these athletes gave to the media….But real, authentic appreciation to God.  After winning the Superbowl, no one could stop them.

Still, we don’t see Seattle’s football player’s deep faith, because media would rather stir a frenzy over Richard Sherman’s remarks to other players after a highly emotional interception.

But in the end, the proud are humbled, the humble are elevated, and even God uses imperfect people to prove to us here in Seattle…that all of us stumble and need a Savior.  Each of us are all simply human…and that includes our coveted Seahawks.

Yes, we are the 12th man. We have a unity that has never been seen in NFL football before.  But we are not the king we think we are.  We are simply united because a group of great men we cheer for have character, a faith-filled testimony, and choose to live for Christ instead of boasting to cameras about their own athletic giftedness or personal significance.

And although I love my Bronco-loving friends, I want the world to know that it was not us, the 12th man that helped us get the big win.  It was not “belief” in and of itself that got us the trophy as a world class football organization.  It was not our veteran athletes, our high status in the football league, or the years of practice that led us to our first time ever Superbowl win…

It was a team that was willing to “get low”. A team willing to seek God, glorifying His name through the platform they have been given.  It was the King who was present in the crowd, high and looking down on those who performed for Him alone that warm New Jersey day.

It was His name lifted High and the power of declaring that whether athlete or not….it is only by his command; games are fumbled, we gain interceptions, and balls are stopped by powerful defense.

Yes, He is our King.  And when we know that, trust Him, obey Him, serve Him…He delights in then turning around and asking us….

“Why not us?”  

Yes, He is the King in every crowd Russell Wilson’s Dad speaks of.  Don’t believe me?  Look at the Superbowl score of 43 – 8.

I mean, who does that?

(Linking with Titus 2, Emily)