2012 Seahawks Logo: Where's the Revolt?

After introducing new uniforms AND new logo (if only a change to one significant color) last week, public opinion has ebbed and flowed. I gave myself a week to comment, lest I rush to judgment too quickly.

My opinion: NO thank you on the new logo. More importantly, WHERE is the backlash from #12?

Here's what you need to know about me before I get into the Why-I-Hate-It.
1. Lifelong Seahawks fan. Seriously. The team is a year older than me.
2. I created this blog for the fan viewpoint, which I monitor via Facebook, Twitter, and personal convos/emails/etc.
3. For "real work" I am a branding consultant and have worked with logos and marketing for over 15 years.
4. I like change. I really do.

Sometimes too much change is overwhelming; sometimes a new "improvement" is just so "so-so" that it doesn't move people to embrace it OR revolt against it. They just go along without feeling. And this, #12s is what I imagine may be happening with our new Seattle Seahawks team logo.

The significant change to our 2002 logo is in the coloring. Our dark navy blue seems to be ever-so-slightly brightened and lightened, while the officially-named "Seahawks Blue" on the lower stripe has washed away to the Nike-termed "Wolf Grey", a silver-grey that matches the daily cloudcast we Seattleites are so familiar with.

First off, let me tell you that I painted my walls a similar shade of grey 5 years ago and lived to regret it. When you live in grey Seattle, the last thing you want to look at is grey. Hey, I get it. Grey will be a hot color in the decade to come. The Nike-designed wolf grey uniform is pretty hot. But that doesn't make it a strong logo color. To do away with a color that is NAMED for the team is a pretty major decision, not to be taken lightly. Not to mention my "Seahawks Blue" car, nail polish, shoes, etc have been rendered non-Seahawk colors.

When the logo first leaked, I thought it was a red herring - seriously. I thought there was no way we would have a washed out logo like that, as it was presented on a white cap with a barely visible lower stripe. For the past week the Seahawk's official Facebook page has used the logo on a navy field where the top of the logo blends into the background and I officially hate it more each time I see it. It isn't growing on me. It won't grow on me. It is weak and "unfinished" to quote another #12.

Don't see it? Bring up the new logo and then back away from your monitor/screen and look at the colors. Now imagine you are in the stands at a game. Which color combo is stronger - with Seahawks Blue or with Wolf Grey? You know it's the blue.

But as talk about the new logo lulls, I have lost hope for a Gap-style logo recall. After their epic fail at a logo redesign caused a stir in 2010, Gap quickly switched back.

Not going to happen here. So I'll leave you on an up note. Here is a really cool look at the influences that went into the original Seattle Seahawks logo back in 1975. That's all I can give you for now.

Change. It be a comin'.

In the case that you may have been living under a rock for the past 6 months or so, let me be the first to tell you that new NFL uniforms by Nike are being unveiled tomorrow, April 3.

With new uniforms come new color schemes and a nasty little rumor that the Seahawks are changing their logo to navy and gray, instead of navy and "Seahawk Blue".  I doubt that, but I am completely psyched for new unis, thanks to this epic/hyper/faster/stronger/nuclear/breakthrough/electric/wicked promo video by Nike:


"Nike Football Epic Transformation" video

I would love to tell you that I have some insight on just what the new Seahawks uniforms will look like. There are a lot of red herrings out there on the Internet, and rumors abound. It is safe to say we are getting three options - home darks, away white/light, and a 3rd option we hope is not neon green. Mr. 12theHardWay happens to have spent a lot of time working at Nike and has seen some NFL sampling, but will not share, even with me (especially with me?) as everything is highly classified.

So we wait for Tomorrow...wonder what it's like for Reebok.

Vote #12 for ESPYs

The ESPY Nominations are out and the Seahawks have some well-deserved recognition. Now it's up to us to secure the victory. {sound familiar?}

VOTE HERE for the Seahawks' Beastquaking playoff win over the reigning world champ Saints as BEST UPSET. AND! Our boy Leon Washington is up for NFL's STRONGEST PERFORMANCE. Which, if you recall all the times network commentators marveled at Leon Washington last season, has to be a sure thing. So VOTE!

Oh yah, a few things to know before voting:

1. It will take you at least 10-15 minutes.

2. You will have to vote in every category, even "Best Bowler" where criteria like "pick the least creepy-looking" will not help you out.

3. Local boy Tim Lincecum and the Storm's Lauren Jackson provide more local flavor.

4. I voted for Jon "Bones" Jones for Best Fighter purely because he was the only one with a fighter sounding name and for Aaron Rodgers for Best NFL Player solely to vote against the others. Feel free to share your personal voting criteria in comments, below.

Flashback Friday: Beast Quake "WOOOO!"

Yesterday was my birthday, so today's Flashback Friday had to be the awesomest...for no other reason than it's the first time I ever remember Seattle snow on my birthday, and because I'm super psyched for karaoke tomorrow night.  That's not a real reason, but when the flashback is Marshawn Lynch's Beast Quake run, any reason will do.  If you need another reason, Lynch wears my number: #24 {also my birthday, and big roulette number, and 'double the 12'}.

In case you've lived under a rock in 2011, 'Beast Quake' is the epic 67-yard run that came at a crucial point in the 2011 NFC Wild Card game against the New Orleans Saints - then defending Super Bowl champs. It showcased Marshawn Lynch in true unrelenting Beast Mode fashion and set the stadium rocking.  Literally.  A "seismic event" was recorded at Qwest Field precisely as Marshawn pushed Tracy Porter to the turf and stormed the end zone. Thus, Beast QUAKE.

Here's how it played out on NBC, but augmented with our own Steve Raible and Warren Moon providing commentary:



I heard this on the radio over and over in the days following the game and EVERY TIME Warren's "Wooooo!" makes me laugh because you KNOW that's the moment Tracy Porter goes flying.  This never ceases to bring a smile to my face, whether I see it or just hear it.  That's the stuff of history, Warren - way to add the color commentary! 

I was fortunate to be in the building that night and I can attest that It. was. unlike. any. play. at. home. ever.

...and I was there the night Shaun Alexander scored 5 touchdowns in one half against Minnesota.

AND I was there when Tony Romo biffed the hold on the field goal that would've taken us out of the playoffs.

And hell, I was even there when we beat Carolina to win our very first ever NFC Championship.

These were epic moments as well - euphoric and forever-memorable.  But Beast Quake was something entirely different.  I've never seen the 12th man so collectively shell-shocked and jacked up at the same time.  Mr 12theHardWay was all of a sudden across our aisle in the other section - I dropped my phone jumping around - and of course there were hugs all around.  I think you get an idea from this YouTube gem {though this is rather quiet, if you ask me}:


{Love that "what?"}

So Beast Quake is one of those rarities that can never be overrated or overexposed: everyone talks about it, everyone loves it, and for good reason.  There is no way to overstate how truly awesome it is.

Lastly, I'd be remiss to not mention this awesome breakdown of Beast Quake by Hawk Blogger.  Credit where credit's due...and many Seahawks helped make this play happen.

{Image Credit: Drew Sellers/Sportspress Northwest Videos: YouTube via ryanphelps1 and bigjake206}