For the Seattle Seahawks, the number 12 represents the fans, collectively known as “The 12s” (or historically, the “12th Man”). Originally, fans were called the “12th Man.”
Since an NFL team has 11 players on the field at once, the “12” symbolizes the fans’ role as the unofficial twelfth player, whose energy and noise provide a tangible home-field advantage.
The History of the 12
1984 Jersey Retirement: The Seahawks were the first professional sports team to retire a jersey number specifically for their fans. Former owner Ken Behring officially retired the number 12 on December 15, 1984, to honor the crowd’s legendary noise levels in the Kingdome.
The “12th Man” vs. “The 12s”: Originally, fans were called the “12th Man.” However, because Texas A&M University holds the trademark for that phrase, the Seahawks entered a licensing agreement for years before officially shifting to the name “The 12s” in 2016 to establish their own distinct brand.
The 12 Flag: Before every home game at Lumen Field, a “12 Flag” is raised in the south end zone by a special guest—often a former player, local celebrity, or community hero—to signal the start of the game.
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Impact and Records
The 12s are famous for being among the loudest fans in professional sports. Their impact is more than just symbolic:
Seismic Activity: In 2011, the crowd’s reaction to Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake” touchdown run was so intense it was actually recorded as a 2.3 magnitude earthquake on nearby seismographs.
Guinness World Records: The fanbase has twice held the world record for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event, peaking at 137.6 decibels during a game against the New Orleans Saints.
False Starts: The noise at Lumen Field is credited with causing an unusually high number of “False Start” penalties for opposing offenses, who often cannot hear their quarterback’s signals.
Current Significance
This tradition is especially relevant right now, as the Seahawks are fresh off their victory in Super Bowl LX (60), which took place yesterday, February 8, 2026. During the post-game celebrations, players and coaching staff—including Mike Macdonald—heavily credited “The 12s” for providing the momentum that carried the team through their 29–13 win over the Patriots.
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