In the roundup: a trailer for Hard Knocks with the Seattle Seahawks and an interview with Tre Watson; the schedule for a Mariners–Reds matchup; plus a vote on a Seattle sales-tax measure amid a budget shortfall.
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks Trailer and Tre Watson’s Takeaways
The NFL.com feature on display isn’t quite a traditional article so much as an announcement for video content, tying together two standout episodes. In one, viewers get a long-awaited trailer for the new season of the documentary series Hard Knocks, which this time will take them inside the Seattle Seahawks training camp. The show—an actual institution for NFL fans—every year pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of one franchise, showing not only battles on the field, but also human drama, the fight for a roster spot, and the everyday routine of professional football players. The trailer typically sets the tone for the entire season, and Seahawks fans can already get a sense of the storylines ahead.
However, the second part of the content, as described, focuses on a completely different character: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tre Watson, who appeared on the morning show GMFB (Good Morning Football) right after waking up.
In his interview, Tre Watson talked about his experience at what’s known as “Tight End University”—the annual gathering of the league’s top players at that position, where they hone their craft and trade secrets of the job. It’s an informal event, but one with enormous prestige, attracting stars like Travis Kelce and George Kittle, and for a young undrafted player to make it there is a huge honor and a chance to introduce himself. Particular attention is drawn to his account of choosing to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs specifically as an undrafted free agent. For Watson—who wasn’t selected in the draft—this move became both a challenge and an opportunity. In a league where the path to the top often starts with high draft picks, stories like his are a reminder that persistence and choosing the right team can change everything. The Chiefs are known for finding and developing talent, and Watson, it seems, is counting on fitting into their system.
The title Hard Knocks has long been synonymous with the most honest look at the inner workings of the NFL, and the Seahawks—along with their charismatic head coach Pete Carroll—promise to provide great material for the new season. As for Watson’s interview, it offers a rare look at the other side of the coin: the journey of the “underdog” who doesn’t give up after a draft setback. The article is worth emphasizing the contrast between these two storylines: one is about a team with big expectations, whose camp will be featured in a TV show; the other is about one player’s personal battle to secure a spot on the roster of the reigning champion. As noted in the description on NFL.com, both videos are available to watch, illustrating just how multifaceted the world of professional American football is. To fully understand it all, viewers need to realize that “Tight End University” isn’t a school—it’s an annual training camp run by the league’s leading tight ends—and that the status “undrafted free agent” means a player wasn’t selected in the draft but received an invitation from a team, giving him a shot without any guarantees. The key takeaways from this material are: Hard Knocks again proves that behind the scenes of sports there are just as compelling stories as there are on the field, and Tre Watson’s path reminds fans that talent and hard work can open doors even in the world’s most elite league. For Seahawks fans, the series premiere is a chance to see their team in a new light, and for Chiefs supporters, it’s a reason to take a closer look at a newcomer who could be the next big discovery.
Where to Watch the Reds vs. Mariners Game: TV Channel, Time, and Streaming on July 22
The 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is entering a decisive stretch: teams are fighting desperately for a spot in the playoffs, and stars like Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to delight fans. On Wednesday, July 22, the Cincinnati Reds will take on the Seattle Mariners—USA Today has the details on how to watch. The piece not only provides the usual viewing information, but also paints a broader picture of the standings, adding context for the upcoming game.
According to the outlet, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers is aiming for his third straight National League (NL MVP) title, though he faces competition from Juan Soto and James Wood. The Dodgers themselves look like a clear favorite in the National League, with a double-digit lead in their division. Meanwhile, the American League is surprisingly balanced: after the All-Star break, only one-third of teams had a winning record, and no division leader was ahead of the pack by more than three games. Among the surprises are the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets, who—contrary to expectations—sit at the bottom of their divisions, while the Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, have snapped out of their slump and are in the hunt for a postseason spot.
The Reds vs. Mariners matchup itself will be played in Seattle at T-Mobile Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. ET. For viewers who want to follow the game live, local channels Mariners.TV and Reds.TV are available, along with the streaming service MLB.TV via the Fubo platform. The authors note that regional broadcasts are subject to “blackout” restrictions—an industry term meaning that in some parts of the U.S. the game may not be available for live viewing due to local television contracts. The article also recommends checking the scores and results of all games from that day on usatoday.com.
So the main value of the piece isn’t just the schedule and broadcast options, but a brief analysis of the current season. It helps viewers understand why a routine mid-July game could matter: both teams are likely in the thick of the playoff race, and the American League atmosphere is as heated as it gets, driven by the tightness of the results. For a Russian fan accustomed to following MLB via the internet, information about streaming through Fubo could be key—along with the warning about blackouts that applies regardless of where the subscriber is located.
Seattle residents will decide whether to raise the sales tax as the city seeks a way out of a budget crisis
In November, Seattle residents will vote on increasing the sales tax by 0.3% for ten years—money that will go toward expanding the city’s bus service, including adding more evening and weekend trips. In a statement, Mayor Katie Wilson thanked the city council for working through the package, calling it a “package that respects money earned through people’s hard work and brings 100,000 additional bus trips to Seattle every year.” She also said that if the measure is approved, it would fund 22,000 free passes for low-income households. But the proposal—and the upcoming budget season in which Seattle will face a $175 million deficit—prompted City Council member Bob Kettle to call for more responsible spending ahead of the fall budget process.
In his letter, Kettle expressed concern that what troubles him—and others—is “the layering of a progressive tax on top of a progressive tax, over and over again.” He warned that “continuing to use property assessments to fund critical initiatives may not remain an available option for legal and political reasons in the future.” Already in August, Seattle residents will vote on “Proposition 1,” an increase in the property tax to fund the Seattle Public Library. Instead of relying on piecemeal tax increases, Kettle proposes three steps to “align city spending with what our city deserves.” First, adopting a priority-based budgeting system rather than simply carrying over last year’s budget with inflation and “favorite projects.” Second, cutting unnecessary areas of activity: the city charter defines core services the city must provide beyond services approved by voters. But there are other areas that can be reduced or eliminated altogether, as well as those that fall under county or state responsibility, but which the city has taken on due to a lack of resources. Third, reviewing payroll tax policy: according to Kettle, a payroll tax above the target level creates unintended consequences for the health of the business community and the tax base. Broadening the tax base and lowering the rate without bringing in new revenues could stabilize the impact on business and the city’s revenues in the long term. Overall, Kettle wrote that “if Seattle wants to stay a well-run liberal city on the West Coast, we need to start strengthening our budget now.”
It’s important to understand that progressive taxes are taxes whose rate increases as the taxable base increases—that is, that wealthier pay more. Seattle already has several such taxes, and Kettle worries that stacking them could deter business and weaken the economy. The key issue is that the city faces a choice: either continue raising taxes to fund social programs and infrastructure, or revisit priorities and cut spending—possibly giving up some services that traditionally aren’t part of the city’s mandate. While City Hall has not yet responded to KOMO News’ request about how it would react to Kettle’s letter, the $175 million deficit and two upcoming tax votes make this year a turning point for Seattle’s fiscal policy. As noted in a KOMO article, debates about “piecemeal” taxes and the need for a systemic approach to budgeting aren’t just a technical dispute—they’re about what kind of city Seattle will be in the future. Residents won’t only decide the fate of the transportation measure, but also weigh whether they’re willing to pay more for libraries, buses, and other benefits—or whether they want city leaders to use the money already available more wisely.
