why are seattle fans called 12s
Seattle Seahawks fans are called “12s” because they’re treated as the 12th player on the field, symbolizing how their noise and support give the team an extra edge beyond the 11 players allowed in the game.
Why Are Seattle Fans Called 12s?
The core idea: fans as the 12th player
In American football, each team can only have 11 players on the field at a time, so the “12th man” is a metaphor for the crowd’s impact on the game.
Seahawks fans are so loud and involved that the team formally embraced them as that extra “player,” and the nickname “12s” grew out of that identity.
How the tradition started
- In 1984, the Seahawks retired jersey No. 12 specifically in honor of their fans, meaning no player could wear that number anymore.
- This move signaled that the crowd was considered part of the team and laid the foundation for the “12th Man” and later “12s” branding.
- Before home games, the team raises a “12” flag at the stadium as a ritual tribute to the fans’ role in creating home‑field advantage.
Why the name changed from “12th Man” to “12s”
- “12th Man” as a fan nickname was first popularized by Texas A&M University in 1922, when a student was pulled from the stands to be ready to play; the school later trademarked the term.
- The Seahawks had a licensing deal with Texas A&M to use “12th Man” on a limited basis, but that agreement was set to expire in 2016.
- Instead of renewing, Seattle shifted its branding to “12s,” which kept the same meaning but avoided the trademark issue while cementing a unique identity.
What “12s” means in Seattle today
- “12s” is now a city‑wide identity: you see the number 12 on flags, buildings, and even high‑profile landmarks like the Space Needle during big Seahawks moments.
- The noise at Lumen Field (formerly CenturyLink Field) has been so intense that it has caused false starts, forced timeouts, and even registered on local seismic equipment during key plays, feeding the legend of the 12s.
- The term also carries a cultural vibe: loyalty, community, and a “we’re in this together” mentality that goes beyond just showing up on game day.
Quick fact table: the 12s at a glance
| Aspect | Key Details |
|---|---|
| What “12s” means | Nickname for Seattle Seahawks fans, representing them as the 12th player on the field. | [7][9][1][3]
| Origin year | No. 12 jersey retired for fans in 1984. | [7][3][5]
| Old name | Originally called the “12th Man,” later rebranded as “12s.” | [3][5][7]
| Why the name changed | Trademark and licensing issues with Texas A&M’s “12th Man” led the Seahawks to adopt the unique term “12s.” | [5][3]
| Stadium tradition | “12” flag raised before home games to honor fans and their impact on home‑field advantage. | [1][3][5]
| Cultural impact | The number 12 appears across Seattle on flags, buildings, and landmarks, symbolizing fan pride and community. | [9][1][7]
TL;DR
Seattle fans are called “12s” because the Seahawks retired jersey 12 for their fanbase, treating them as the crucial 12th player, and later leaned into the unique “12s” name after moving away from the trademarked “12th Man” phrase.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.