In Seattle, “the Twelves” (or “12s”) are the passionate fans of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team, seen as an extra player on the field because of how loud and involved they are on game day.

Quick Scoop: What are the 12s in Seattle?

The term comes from the idea that only 11 players are allowed on the field, so the crowd becomes the 12th “player” through noise and energy, especially at home games at Lumen Field. The Seahawks formally embraced this in 1984 by retiring jersey number 12 to honor their fan base, symbolically giving the number to the fans instead of a player. Over time, legal issues around the phrase “12th Man” (originally used by Texas A&M) led Seattle to shift the branding to simply “12s,” but the meaning stayed the same: it’s the nickname for their intensely loyal, loud fans.

Around Seattle, you’ll see big “12” flags on buildings, homes, bars, and even major landmarks during big games or playoff runs, all as a visual show of support for the team. The 12s are also famous for how loud they get—Seahawks home crowds have hit record-breaking noise levels, contributing to false starts and communication problems for visiting teams and reinforcing the idea that the fans really function like an extra player.

In short: in Seattle sports culture, “the Twelves” are not a player or a place—they’re the identity of the Seahawks’ fan base and a big part of the city’s modern sports personality.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.