Danny O'Neil

[Aseahawkfan]

That lack of loyalty cuts both ways. Athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Steve Hutchinson, and now Russell Wilson, intentionally deceiving their fans into thinking that they wanted to stay with their team while behind the curtain, they were secretly conspiring to dump them like yesterday's newspaper. It's given me an apathetic attitude towards their careers, and why I don't wear jerseys with their names or numbers on them no matter how likeable they may appear. Only as it relates to the success of our team do I care about their personal achievements.

Professional athletes are the first ones to parrot the phrase "It's a business", so I'll return that attitude and regard them as a business object just as they have requested. To me, they're an asset, like plant and equipment.

It does go both ways. Always has, always will.

Easy to understand too. Most players don't know fans from the average stranger on the street. I can't think of many folks that would pass up substantial money to stay in a certain place if they really have the option to do otherwise.

You're not returning any attitude. You're the one of the ones complaining the biggest when things aren't going well piling on, just not as rudely as some. You were never loyal to these players to start with.

Something like Anthony, he is loyal to a player in the extreme.

[Hawktawk]

Yeah RD but we’re not fan boys . We see stuff the casual fan that bought the players Jersey don’t . I knew when Russ said all that stuff about being hit etc his career in Seattle was a dead man walking . I advocated giving him his wishes and taking thr haul to try to salvage the 21 season as it seemed his head wasn’t in the game , the locker room was deteriorating . It was providence they waited cause this draft wasn’t there a year ago and there was no film on Geno in a Seahawks uni . It proved Chrystal clear that it wasn’t working here at 7-10 and Russ and John somehow convinced Denver it was the same old Russ. JS has to be executive of the year .

[RiverDog]

It does go both ways. Always has, always will.

Easy to understand too. Most players don't know fans from the average stranger on the street. I can't think of many folks that would pass up substantial money to stay in a certain place if they really have the option to do otherwise.

You're not returning any attitude. You're the one of the ones complaining the biggest when things aren't going well piling on, just not as rudely as some. You were never loyal to these players to start with.

Something like Anthony, he is loyal to a player in the extreme.

I guess it depends on what you call loyalty. I don't get torqued when a player on my team doesn't make the Pro Bowl or care that much when they break some kind of individual record. Except as it relates to the team's success, individual player accomplishments don't phase me that much. It never used to be that way with me. I can remember following Steve Largent's consecutive game streak catching at least one pass and was even in the stadium when he broke the record.

But not anymore. Sure, I'll tip my hat in respect for something like a HOF induction as I did with Big Walt, Tez, and Easley, and might even lobby for them if I feel they deserve it. But I'm not going to break my back doing handsprings. I'll always be appreciative of a past player's contributions to my team and to my enjoyment of the sport in general as I have with Shaun Alexander and even Hutch. But I refuse to idolize them or hold them in higher regard than I would a close friend or relative.

Free agency changed everything for me with regard to my respect for individual players, and it's not limited to professional football.

[obiken]

Hindsight is also 20-20. The correct move was sign Hutch and let SA walk. But it couldn’t be done from a PR standpoint . I’ve heard suggestions Seattle should have signed Clark and traded Wags for a ransom . But same reason . When Russ started talking about trade destinations and getting hit it was time to trade him but they couldn’t take the Pr hit . I think it worked out better this way.
As for Russ he was special in a special time . I’d agree we don’t win it all without him most likely . The playoffs were rocky after winning many great lucky games where Russ was clutch in every instance . We went to the Super Bowl because Sherman got off a brutal uncalled Opi to somehow stay with the guy and elevate and tip it to the alert Smith and rob SF of their second trip to the Sb in as many years . Our offense had hardly salted it away . But in 48 Russ played as perfect a game of Pete ball as I’ve ever seen with his line getting abused and Lynch getting stuffed for 38 yards . I’ve said he should have been co mvp and caught all kinds of hell right here . Flawless . When you don’t punt till late in the 3rd quarter it makes a huge difference in a game for the opposing offense and your own defense . It’s silly as saying Harvin leading in rushing with 2 carries both huge chunk plays into scoring position , a one handed catch for another first down and a house call on a well executed pooch kick that could easily have been 7 the other way . We needed everyone .
They needed each other .
He was special but there were lots of special people . It doesn’t excuse the sports/showbiz personality he’s become that doesn’t seem to resemble the guy who came here 10 years ago . It’s remarkable how he seemingly grates on so many former teammates( and current ones ) as well as now 2 fan bases. As I say he has 160 million to salve the wounds . Crazy story.

HT, dont you think a lot fans refused to see the signs that Russ wanted out and scoffed at the idea that he would go, and when he did, it added to the hurt, pain, and anger?

[Aseahawkfan]

I guess it depends on what you call loyalty. I don't get torqued when a player on my team doesn't make the Pro Bowl or care that much when they break some kind of individual record. Except as it relates to the team's success, individual player accomplishments don't phase me that much. It never used to be that way with me. I can remember following Steve Largent's consecutive game streak catching at least one pass and was even in the stadium when he broke the record.

But not anymore. Sure, I'll tip my hat in respect for something like a HOF induction as I did with Big Walt, Tez, and Easley, and might even lobby for them if I feel they deserve it. But I'm not going to break my back doing handsprings. I'll always be appreciative of a past player's contributions to my team and to my enjoyment of the sport in general as I have with Shaun Alexander and even Hutch. But I refuse to idolize them or hold them in higher regard than I would a close friend or relative.

Free agency changed everything for me with regard to my respect for individual players, and it's not limited to professional football.

You still get really down on players and coaches when the team isn't doing well. You aren't the worst of the lot though, but you definitely get cranky.

I've only been "loyal" to one player in my life and that was Michael Jordan. His effect on me was similar to a drug as when I watched him play. He was the most driven and amazing player I've ever beheld. I paid for Dish network back in the day to watch local Chicago games. I rooted against the Sonics when Michael played them. I stopped watching basketball after he retired even though it was one of my favorite sports to watch from the days of Magic versus Larry. I have never seen anyone play basketball better than Michael Jordan and I doubt I ever will see anyone play better than that again. I literally felt after he retired that I had watched the best player to ever play basketball play and once he was done I would never see anyone match him. Thus watching basketball after he left was some pale shadow of what it was for me. I only occasionally watch basketball and it still leaves me feeling empty as no player I've seen has come close to matching Michael, not even Lebron James as often as people tell me Lebron is as good or better than Michael. He doesn't seem better to me when I watch him on the court or see him in interviews.

Even as much as I loved watching Michael, never bought his jersey. I can't buy team paraphernalia. I can never justify the cost or imagine wearing the logo or number or image of some person.

Beyond that single player, I'm loyal only to the Seahawks to some secondary degree the Mariners. Players and coaches come and go. I don't get too up or down when it occurs.

[Aseahawkfan]

HT, dont you think a lot fans refused to see the signs that Russ wanted out and scoffed at the idea that he would go, and when he did, it added to the hurt, pain, and anger?

I don't think he wanted out of Seattle myself. I think he wanted to get away from Pete. But he can't really say that directly without causing issues. So what happened, happened.

[obiken]

That lack of loyalty cuts both ways. Athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Steve Hutchinson, and now Russell Wilson, intentionally deceiving their fans into thinking that they wanted to stay with their team while behind the curtain, they were secretly conspiring to dump them like yesterday's newspaper. It's given me an apathetic attitude towards their careers, and why I don't wear jerseys with their names or numbers on them no matter how likeable they may appear. Only as it relates to the success of our team do I care about their personal achievements.

Professional athletes are the first ones to parrot the phrase "It's a business", so I'll return that attitude and regard them as a business object just as they have requested. To me, they're an asset, like plant and equipment.

PayRod ticked me off it didnt hurt. RW, Wayne leaving the Oilers, or Farve going to the Vikings, those moves hurt. Hutch, we should have tagged and put the Poison pill on SA, I think he would have signed anyway.

[Hawktawk]

HT, dont you think a lot fans refused to see the signs that Russ wanted out and scoffed at the idea that he would go, and when he did, it added to the hurt, pain, and anger?

I don't think he wanted out of Seattle myself. I think he wanted to get away from Pete. But he can't really say that directly without causing issues. So what happened, happened.[/quote]

I think he likes being the center of attention . I think he was full of himself and saw himself as Payton Manning being held back by stodgy Pete . But his agent leaked destinations and JS didn’t bite in 21 so NO it was not Seattle that wanted to trade him initially . I said they should at the time . I can’t believe anyone still believes Russ didn’t ask for this . Besides if he just wanted Pete fired so we could watch him run around with no guardrails well no thanks . It’s gone as I predicted . He’s not Peyton Manning .

As to your question Obi honestly I didn’t think he was leaving myself . I didn’t know for sure what would be best . After the finger healed up he put up good numbers in 4 of his last 6, Penny went nuts . I thought Jodi might run it all back . So did the late John Clayton . I was surprised it happened . My initial thought was God Bless him. Then all the garbage about being obsessed with winning MVP, having his agent calling john and dropping F bombs after WINS if Russel didn’t get to throw enough . His cold aloof behavior toward teammates . His proclamations of wanting to win 3 or 4 more Lombardis” hope it’s here but I want to win . Then of course trying to blame Pete and John for a trade he and his agent hand picked the city off their metric , fan base , media market . Then throwing shade right up till kickoff .

I don’t know what triggered other people but for me it was a combination of all of the above . And when I hear a guy who won one and threw one away in 5 years with beast mode and the legion of boom and a hall of fame coach I really don’t want to hear how he’s leaving to win a championship . In hindsight Pete and John swindled Denver badly as I predicted . Mark Rodgers swindled the Walton’s even worse . If I was a self centered me first pro athlete that was all about the money I’d want that agent .

It was a perfect storm . Russ wanted out . Pete had had enough back talk after Russ threw away another game . For Seattle perfect timing . For Denver about 3 years too late .
If I feel a bit sorry for anyone it’s Denver . Especially their fans . They weren’t watching much of bears , commanders , rams . They were so excited to get the great Russel Wilson from the foolish Seahawks trading their Super Bowl winning qb and thinking Geno smith was an NFL Qb. I have Denver fans as friends . They are shocked and disgusted , angry .

.