The Seattle Seahawks are a professional football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are members of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division of the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team and have called Seattle home ever since.
One of the most iconic parts of the Seahawks brand is their team colors. The striking combination of dark navy blue, bright neon green, and wolf grey sets the Seahawks apart from other NFL teams. But where did these colors come from and what do they represent? Here we will explore the history and meaning behind the Seattle Seahawks team colors.
Origins of the Seahawks Team Colors
The original Seahawks uniforms featured silver helmets, silver pants, and either blue or white jerseys. The original team colors were royal blue, forest green, white, and silver.
However, in 2002 the Seahawks underwent a complete rebrand. They adopted a darker navy blue as their primary color. They also introduced a vivid neon green as an accent color. This neon green was dubbed “Seahawks Green” or “College Navy”. It gave the Seahawks a bold, eye-catching look.
So why navy blue and neon green? The navy blue represents the waters of the Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest. It is a nod to Seattle’s maritime history as a major port city. The neon green color was selected to evoke the lush evergreen forests of the region. Together the blue and green hues capture the spirit of the Pacific Northwest landscape.
In 2012, the Seahawks made another tweak to their uniforms. They changed the accent green to an even brighter hue dubbed “Action Green”. According to the Seahawks, this shockingly vibrant shade of green represents the “energy” and “excitement” of the 12th man – the nickname for Seahawks fans.
Meaning of the Seahawks Colors
Beyond representing the Pacific Northwest, the navy blue and neon green colors are filled with symbolism for the Seahawks.
Navy Blue
– Strength – The deep navy blue conveys a sense of authority and power. It communicates the strength and determination of the players.
– Professionalism – The dark blue is a traditional color that exudes professionalism and class. It shows the serious and focused attitude of the organization.
– Unity – The single dominant blue creates a feeling of coherence and solidarity. It brings the team and fans together under one unified color.
Neon Green
– Vibrancy – The piercing green pops against the darker blue background. It represents the energetic, lively spirit of the 12th man.
– Uniqueness – The unusual neon shade makes the Seahawks stand out from other teams with typical colors. It reflects the Seahawks bold and innovative approach.
– Positivity – Bright green evokes feelings of health, renewal, and freshness. It suggests the positive outlook of the players and fans.
How the Seahawks Use Their Colors
The Seahawks incorporate their navy, neon green, and wolf grey colors across all aspects of their visual branding:
– Uniforms – The colors are splashed across the home and away jerseys, pants, and helmets. The blue jerseys feature green accents.
– Logos – The Seahawks logo, which depicts a hawk’s head, is blue with a green eye and green outline.
– Field – The navy and green colors decorate the end zones and sidelines at Lumen Field where the Seahawks play.
– Marketing – The team uses the colors widely in advertising, merchandise, digital media, and other promotions.
This consistent use of the colors helps the Seahawks brand stand out. The colors enable fans to instantly recognize anything associated with the team.
Role of the 12th Man
The Seahawks fans – collectively referred to as the 12th Man – are closely intertwined with the team’s identity. The 12th Man’s abundant energy, passion, and noise fill CenturyLink Field on game days. Their fanatic support provides a major home field advantage for the Seahawks.
The neon green color specifically symbolizes the 12th Man. Its vibrancy reflects the spirited impact of the fans. The Action Green shade was even engineered to be as loud and eye-catching as possible – an overt tribute to the boisterous 12th Man.
So while navy blue represents the players themselves, the neon green belongs to the 12th Man. The two colors are woven together just as the team feeds off the fans’ boundless support and loyalty.
Conclusion
The Seattle Seahawks colors of navy blue, neon green, and wolf grey represent the soul of the team. The navy blue connects to Seattle’s maritime heritage and the Pacific Northwest landscape. It conveys strength, professionalism, and unity.
The neon Action Green embodies the lively 12th Man and their invaluable energy. Together, the colors tell the story of a team bound to its region and fans. The striking color scheme provokes pride and passion from the players, coaches, and supporters. For over 40 years, the Seahawks navy blue and green have defined the look and spirit of the team.