On Friday evening, hundreds of Seattle Seahawks fans, wrapped in green-and-blue scarves and jackets, gathered on the shore of Lake Union to greet an unusual vessel — the ChampionSHIP. It’s the former Washington State ferry Hyak, decked out with giant No. 12 flags and glowing with green-and-blue lights. The use of this ferry carries deep symbolic meaning: Washington State ferries are not merely a tourist attraction but a vital part of public transit for thousands of residents, connecting the islands and peninsulas of Puget Sound to the mainland. In that way, historic infrastructure continues to serve people in a new role, linking past and present. The event, called Blue Friday, was organized by the club to celebrate the team’s return to the National Football Conference (NFC) final for the first time in more than a decade.
The ferry made a scenic circuit of Lake Union and Lake Washington, passing through the Montlake Cut and visiting several waterfront neighborhoods. Many fans followed it in their own boats. Upon returning to the Lake Union Park, the drumline Blue Thunder and the team’s dancers disembarked and staged a celebratory performance on the steps of the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). This is Seattle’s leading cultural institution devoted to preserving the region’s history, and its steps have become a traditional spot for public events and celebrations thanks to the museum’s central location and symbolic role as a keeper of community memory. Food trucks and a DJ were already waiting there.
Among the guests was Drigo Cassio, who moved with his family from Hawaii to Puyallup two years ago. He has been a Seahawks fan since 2000 and named his seven-year-old son after the club legend — defensive back Kam Chancellor. For Cassio and his family, who are devoted supporters, the team’s return to the conference final is a long-awaited moment after many years of waiting.
Kam Chancellor, nicknamed “Bam-Bam Cam” for his hard-hitting play, is remembered as a star of the legendary Legion of Boom defense that led the Seahawks to their recent Super Bowls and their lone championship in 2014. In the upcoming game he will serve as honorary captain, symbolically linking the team’s storied past to its current achievements.
On Sunday, the Seahawks will face the Los Angeles Rams at their home stadium, Lumen Field. This is the season-deciding game: during the regular season the teams split their meetings by the narrowest of margins. The Seahawks confidently beat the San Francisco 49ers in the playoff round, while the Rams barely edged the Chicago Bears in overtime. Seahawks fans, known as the “12th Man,” create a uniquely loud and intense atmosphere at the stadium. In American football there are 11 players on the field at a time, and the fans are considered the “12th man,” whose support provides an extra advantage. The number 12 has been officially retired by the club in their honor, and its display on flags symbolizes the unity of the team and the stands.
Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. Pacific. The game will be broadcast on FOX, streamed on NFL+, and available on radio. According to bookmakers, the Seahawks are favored by a slim 2.5-point margin, and much is expected of them as they seek a path back to the Super Bowl.
Based on: Seahawks all aboard ‘ChampionSHIP’ before NFC playoff game vs. Rams