Readers share their favorite Seahawks memories

The Seahawks winning the NFC Championship against Carolina was certainly one of the most thrilling moments in franchise history. But stories abound for fans who have met players over the years, attended special events or maybe just experienced one of life's greatest moments while celebrating a moment as a Hawks fan. Here's what you had to say:

The year was 1990 and I was 12 years old and had been a Seahawks fan for as long as I could remember. Every year I would claim the Seahawks were going to go to the Super Bowl -- even when their best quarterback was Jeff Kemp and their best receiver was Tommy Kane. I remember watching the Seahawks play the Chiefs in KC in a game where Derrek Thomas had 7 sacks. On the last play of the game, Dave Krieg shook free of a potential 8th sack from Thomas and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Paul Skansi in the back of the endzone. Not counting last week against Carolina, that's my favorite memory.
— Brandt H., Aberdeen, Scotland

Without a doubt, my favorite was when field goal kicker Efren Herrera when he faked a field goal and ran for a touchdown.
— Rush C., Port Orchard

Favorite Seahawk memory was this year's Atlanta game. My wife and I traveled from Beaufort, S.C. and met our son, his wife and our granddaughter who traveled from Kansas City, Mo. We had never been to Qwest Field or a home Seahawk game. The stadium atmosphere with essentially everyone cheering/yelling for the Seahawks was an experience we won't forget. Our granddaughter Halle, 3, was dressed in a Seahawks cheerleaders outfit and had her picture taken with two Seahawks cheerleaders prior to the game. That was cool also!
— Gary S., Beaufort, S.C.

Got a new one. The NFC Championship game against Carolina.
— Bob A., Mount Hood, Ore.

Being in 50-yard line seats to see the Seahawks finally break the long playoff drought against Washington.
— Eric D., New York, N.Y.

My dad is from Seattle and I grew up on the East Coast a HUGE Seahawks fan! He took my little brother and I to a Seahawks/Patriots game in 1984. Curt Warner had blown out his knee a few weeks earlier and Franco Harris was playing. We arrived at the stadium early and I got to meet Lynn Swan who was there to watch Franco. The Seahawks jumped out to a big lead on Steve Grogan and the Patriots. After halftime the Patriots sent Tony Eason into the game at QB and he rallied them to a win. After the game I was very upset. My dad took us to the team buses where we were able to shake hands with the players and get their autographs. I couldn't get over the size of Reggie McKenzie! Dave Krieg asked me if the Raiders won that day and I told him "unfortunately they had." To the players it was just another game but it was the greatest Seahawk memory I have! Today I am 36. I have a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter and after every Seahawks win we sing a cheer to them. We each have a No. 37 jersey that we wore last Monday with pride. Go Seahawks!
— Truman, Vernon, Conn.

My favorite memory was getting up early in the morning after the Seahawks had surprisingly secured a first-round home game in 1983 after a wild win over KC. It had snowed overnight and I-5 was nearly empty as I headed down to the Kingdome to buy my tickets. A lot of the season ticket holders had neglected to secure their seats. So several of us brave souls stood in line at the box office to get some choice seats. We had a fantastic time just waiting out in the cold, passing the hot cocoa around and relishing the win to get in. Yes, it was hot chocolate, not Starbucks, I think they were still only located at the Market at the time.
— Allen J., Sanborn, N.Y.

As a lifelong Seahawks fan who grew up in South Florida, my favorite Seahawks memory (and one of my greatest childhood memories) is the 1983 playoff win against the Miami Dolphins. The game was blacked out in South Florida because it didn't sell out in time, and so, my dad and I went to a Chuck E Cheese type restaurant (I was 11 at the time) with a portable radio in hand and listened to the entire game. In between bites of pizza and video games, I could hear Seattle leading 17-13 going deep into the 4th before it got a little harrowing. The last 2 minutes of the game, though, from Largent's big catch to Warner's go-ahead TD to the 2 Fulton Walker fumbles on kickoffs are memories that have remained with me to this day. Probably the best pizza, too!
— Toby S., North Lauderdale, Fla.

When Dave Kreig took over for Jim Zorn as the Hawks starter. It was against Pittsburgh (I think). Kreig replaced Zorn who was ineffective in the first half. Kreig was unstoppable and the Steelers had no answer. Time ran out as the Hawks were about to score the winning touchdown. The crowd was going crazy. Kreig started after that game.
— Steve T., Everett

There are too many memories to list here. But for now I'll go with 1988 Week 15, which was a crushing win 42-14 vs. Denver at the Kingdome. I was 13 years old and I will never forget how loud it was in there and I don't even remember how many times the Hawks sacked John Elway!
— Jeff, Nashville, Tenn.

My very first Seahawks game was Steve Largent's final home game. I was only 6 years old but he was my idol and continued to be during my childhood. We lost the game to Washington, but i wont forget Largent's final speech as a player. I'm one of the lucky ones my age, that can say they saw Steve Largent play in person.
— Thomas A., Seattle

Oilers kicker Al Del Greco lining up for a game-winning kick in a less-than-half-full Kingdome in the mid-1990s. Michael McCrary blows through the line, blocks the kick, picks it up, then laterals to Robert Blackmon. Touchdown Seahawks. I was in the upper deck, and remember being so amazed that I fell over on the bench, which was fine since there wasn't anyone near me except my parents. From that point on, I knew I would always be a fan of the Seahawks.
— Derek B., Silver Spring, Md.

I have a special interest in this achievement by our hometown football team. My neighbor is a Seattle Seahawk -- Mack Strong, #38. We all thought the win that made the Hawks NFC champs was incredibly cool! Mack's been on the team for twelve years, and this is the first time ever that the Seahawks have made it this far in the playoffs. Pretty fantastic! My family watched the final playoff game with some neighbors and after the game two friends and I ran over to Mack's home with balloons, flowers, streamers, and decorated his house. Then we banged on a few doors up and down the street and twenty of us were standing outside, cheering, when he drove into the driveway. Midst the excitement, cheering and congratulatory hugs, someone said Mack, you are living every little boys dream. He smiled from ear-to-ear and replied, 'Hey, Im living MY DREAM!'

- Robin R., Newcastle

While I was a young boy growing up in Olympia, I can always remember sitting down on Sunday afternoons and watching the games with my father. My parents were divorced and it was really a special time for me to watch our beloved Hawks with my Dad. We weren't always all that close but for those 3-4 hours, we were inseparable. Largent cracking Atwater wasn't a bad memory either.

- Chris P., Mesa, AZ

This is easy. Steve Largent is my favorite player of all time. After being taken out of a game because of a questionable Mike Harden hit, weeks later Largent blindsided Harden with a hit of his own after Harden had intercepted the ball. Beautiful.

- Brent M., Kelowna, BC

Dec 11 1988, Largent payback hit on Denver's Mike Harden.

- Robb C., Bothell

Besides the Seahawks making it to the Super Bowl, the Giants game on Turkey Day weekend was amazing. The crowd was amazing. The vantage from Hawks Nest was awesome. And last but not least, watching some divine intervention was heavenly.

- Joseph L., Burbank, CA

Efren Hererra's fake field goal attempt/touchdown on Monday Night

- Duane, Port Townsend

My favorite memory would have to be Largent's hit on Steve Atwater and forcing the fumble.

Ira P., Enola, Pennsylvania

Steve Largent decleating Dennis Smith of the Broncos.

- Ron T., Austin, TX

The old days when Efren Hererra would fake and run or throw!

- Rick, Omak

Steve Largent took a tremendous blindside cheapshot from a Bronco D-back. It knocked him for a loop. Steve came back in, on special teams I think, and put the other guy out of the game with a tremendous block. That made me realize what a tough guy Steve Largent really was.

- Michael S., Libby, MT

My favorite memory in Seahawk history would be Steve Largent becoming the all-time receiving leader.

- Tom H., Tampa, FL

My favorite memory is when my father took my brother and I to watch them give the Roger Staubach-led Dallas Cowboys a big scare in 1976. The expansion Seahawks jumped out to an early two-touchdown lead and the Kingdome went crazy. Second best: getting on the season ticket mailing list in 1984 and having my number come up in 1992, their worst season at 2-14. My four seats were in the second row from the top of the Kingdome on the 35; probably a good thing because the Seahawks' mistakes weren't as visible from up there. They did win one game in OT on Monday night against Denver and we left after the 3rd quarter when they were down and watched the "miracle comeback" at what is now Slugger's. Watching them at the bottom makes this Super Bowl appearance that much better.

- Paul B., Seattle

#1,1990 the game when Derrick Thomas got seven sacks against Dave Krieg. He would have got eight but Krieg hit Paul Skansi from twenty yards out for the winning touchdown (because I was at the game in K.C.) #2 In 1988, Harden knocked out two of Largent's teeth with an illegal hit and put him on the IR for a bunch of games. The next time Seattle played Denver, Harden picked off a pass intended for Brian Blades and looked like he was going to score, but Largent scorched his way across the field and just destroyed Harden with a devastating and perfect-form tackle. Largent hit him so hard that the ball came loose and Largent recovered it.

- Michael S., Lincoln Nebraska

Kind of a strange one. Mine will be a game in San Diego where I watched Joe Nash Score a TD against the Chargers. No, the hawks did not win but to see a character guy and all-out player like Joe score will always be my favorite.

- Charles G., Santa Maria, CA

My favorite Seahawk memory is from the worst of times. I call it the "Pete Gross Miracle," the Monday Night Football win in 1992 when the Hawks went 2-14. A sick Pete Gross could barely walk to the center of the field to accept his Ring of Honor Induction before the game. But, he still belted out his patented "Touchdown, Seahawks!" And amazingly, the worst offense in Seahawk history behind third string QB Stan Gelbaugh managed a "Touchdown, Seahawks" in the last seconds of the game to send it to overtime. The Seahawks amazing defense (can you say Cortez Kennedy) and a field goal then gave the Seahawks their only home win of the season. A day later, Pete Gross passed away. Thanks for the memories, Pete!

- Will A., Seattle

My favorite moment (although it was painful as ell being a Seahawk fan) was watching Bo Jackson run over The Boz on Monday night football way back when - seeing him run and leave The Boz in the dust and into the tunnel was very impressive.

- Jon, Seoul, Korea

I remember being stationed aboard USS White Plains during the Gulf War in the early 90's and catching the end of the Seahawks/Chiefs game at Arrowhead. I was the only sailor in the galley going crazy after I witnessed Dave Krieg escape Derrick Thomas' 8th sack only to heave a pass in the end zone on the last play of the game and connect with WR Paul Skansi. It would prove to be the Hawks' only win at arrowhead in the 90's. What also adds to the story is that Skansi was a former Husky.

- Shawn B., Fredonia, WI

I think I was five - it would've been about 23-25 yrs. ago. So long ago and so young was I, that I don't recall the team. I was sitting on my Dad's lap, and could feel the tension surrounding the importance of the game. Steve Largent had clearly caught a pass that the officials had been reviewing for what seemed like ten minutes or so. The catch was ruled a trap, but clearly Steve's arms had been underneath the ball which never touched the ground. I think it was the last time we were in a championship game and that call ended the drive, that ended the season and sent us packing to watch the Super Bowl. It was the same year I started following the game of football and the Seahawks for the next twenty five years. GO HAWKS!

- Chris, Everett

I'm 39, grew up in Spokane since 1966. Used to hang out at the summer camps in Cheney when I was in high school at Reardan and also in the 90's and some in 2000's. I have pictures with Dave Krieg, Jim Zorn, and Reggie McKenzie (blocked for O.J). I think it was the year of 1983 or 1984...I have a few backdrop pics of Steve Largent and Curt Warner. It was the good ol'e days, getting to be right there with the Hawks...no security, they were all friendly, glad to stop and take pictures. I was so happy last Sunday, I started to cry at the start of the game and at the end of the game. I went and found these pictures and brought them out to brag! My wife for 10 years has always made fun of me and the pics and the hawks. She has always referred to them as the "Sea Slugs". She has never sat down and watched them with me, but this last Sunday she asked permission to! I said yea baby, you will find out what 30 yrs of being a diehard Hawks fan is like.

As the game progressed, she said, man, I feel the slugs are going to the Super Bowl. After the game, I said OK babe, now what are their names, she slurred a little bit, but found the strength and pride to say "the Seahawks". One last funny tidbit. My nephew Kenny Gunter, star quarterback of the 2004 Arlington Eagles high-school football team, attends Princeton and is the QB there. I called my Brother to tell him about Bill Cowher's daughters getting to go to the Super Bowl this time, since they are older now. One goes to Princeton and is the star basketball player. My brother said, yea I know she goes there, Kenny met her at a party and she was kissing on him. He said she likes her alcohol too!

- Jeff A.-G., Spokane

When Mike Harden of the Denver Broncos took a cheap shot at Steve Largent, and Largent returned the favor and layed out Harden legally after an interception.

- Joe E., Everett

I was born on the last day of 1981 in Spokane. I moved to Kent when I was four years old. My favorite Seahawk moment was when I was about five years old when I became a Seahawk fan. Don't ask me when that was but there was a point when I would cry when the Seahawks lost. Ever since then I have told everyone in my family that this is the Hawks year. They all laughed at me. When the Hawks made XL would have to be my favorite memory.

- Dustin L., Sacramento, CA

My favorite Seahawk memory is when Dave Krieg hit Paul Skansi for the win after being sacked seven times by Derrick Thomas in KC in 1990. That catch sent me screaming through the house. Win or lose, watching Hasselbeck and the Hawks in Super Bowl XL will no doubt soon be a No. 1 memory. From a loyal fan now living in Southern California.

- Josh L., Orange, CA

My favorite memory involves the last game in the Kingdome, the 2000 Wildcard game against Miami. Although the Seahawks lost, the postgame speeches from Seahawks' pasts greats about all of the Kingdome memories were enough to make my father and I cry.

- Zach W., Seattle

My favorite Seahawks moment: Dave Krieg to Paul Skansi 27-yard TD at the end of the game to beat KC in KC -- the first time in eight years for the Seahawks.

- Cain C., Bagram, AFG

I have been a Hawks fan my whole life and sometimes it was tough to stick with them. My favorite Seahawk memory was Steve Largent's play against the Broncos. He Knocked Pro Bowl DB Steve Atwater unconscious and caused a fumble. Of course this was after Atwater laid a big stick on him earlier in the ballgame. He played the game with dignity and heart the way the game was meant to be played. There has not been a player in the NFL like Steve Largent since his retirement.

- Nick Fisher, San Francisco, CA