The "12s" are the passionate fans of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.
They earned this nickname as the team's symbolic "12th man" or "12th player" on the field.

Origin Story

The term traces back to the early 1980s when Seahawks fans started calling themselves the "12th Man" to highlight their intense support. In 1984, team owner Ken Behring made it official by retiring the No. 12 jersey in honor of the fans, recognizing how their noise at home games creates a massive home- field advantage.

This tradition exploded during the team's 2010s playoff runs, with Lumen Field (formerly CenturyLink) engineered to amplify crowd roars—once registering over 137 decibels, among the loudest in NFL history.

Why It Means So Much

Seattle fans, dubbed the "12s," go beyond cheering; they're woven into the team's identity, displaying giant "12" flags across the city, on jerseys, and even Boeing planes during playoffs. Their energy disrupts opponents' play- calling and boosts the Seahawks, turning games into seismic events.

As one fan story goes, legends like "Bill the Beer Man" and "Mama Blue" embody this spirit, rallying crowds through wins and losses alike.

Cultural Impact

  • Visual symbols : "12" flags wave at every home game and postseason; they're painted on streets and lit atop the Space Needle.
  • Game influence : The 12s' noise has led to false starts and penalties for visiting teams, solidifying Seattle's reputation as the NFL's toughest venue.
  • Community pride : From tailgates to viral videos, being a "12" fosters unity—fans high-five strangers and chant "Sea-Hawks!" in unison.

Recent Buzz (as of early 2026)

In recent seasons, like the Week 16 overtime win over the Rams in 2025, the 12s' roar helped clinch playoff positioning, proving their lasting edge amid roster changes. Forum chatter on Reddit still debates who first coined "12s," but all agree it's pure Seahawk Nation loyalty.

TL;DR: "12s" honors Seahawks fans as the ultimate 12th player, born from 1980s fandom and amplified by deafening stadium vibes.

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