“Women don’t know football” -John Moffitt, Former Seahawk

Former Seahawk John Moffitt has not played in the NFL for four years, but this did not stop him from agreeing with Carolina Panther’s Quarterback Cam Newton’s comment this week when Newton claimed it was “funny to hear a female reporter talk about routes”.  Moffitt even added, “women don't know football – she was fed that question, like most of her kind are”.

Before I get too involved in my defense of female football reporters, I think it’s only fair to learn a little more about the infamous John Moffitt and his opinion about female reporters. In a nutshell, Moffitt has been out of football since his retirement in November of 2013. In 2014, he was arrested on battery and drug charges. Even more perplexing, Moffitt was banned in 2013 from the Bellevue Square Mall for allegedly urinating on a parked car.

Reading this brief bio about Mr. Moffitt (which autocorrect keeps wanting to change to Mr. Muppet), makes me remember a phrase my dad told me years ago….

“If you don’t respect the person, then don’t respect their opinion”

I guess mistaking a Goodyear tire for a urinal would certainly make John Moffitt a person unworthy of my respect. But, for the sake of argument, let me point out some holes in his statement.

I have been a season ticket holder for the Seattle Seahawks for several years. Prior to obtaining my season tickets, I would often hold parties for all of my friends to enjoy good food, cold beer, and some great football.

There was something I noticed from the very beginning at both these parties and at the live games at CenturyLink. About half (if not more) of the NFL football fans I have encountered are female.

It’s hard for me to fathom that females are flocking to a game that they know “nothing” about. It’s even more perplexing that they know when to cheer, get angry at penalty calls, know to get loud when the Hawks are on defense, and strategize play calls. I guess I missed the reader board that is “feeding” this reaction to all of us ladies sitting in the stands drooling on ourselves.

For the female fans not attending the games in person, they are rooting for their team on television. They are not watching for the “sexiness” of the female reporters (we get plenty of that from the players). Perhaps they are watching because female reporters have a different perspective and often ask questions that female fans may be interested in. We are inundated with plenty of statistics and random facts from the men in the booth, and often want to hear different questions from a female perspective.

I thoroughly enjoy having Erin Andrews talk to the coaches after halftime, getting injury updates and strategies for the upcoming quarters. I have never seen a mic in her ear “feeding” her the questions, and I’m guessing if there was, the tone of the interview would be much, much different.

Let’s all put on our big kid pants and realize that we live in 2017. The NFL is about marketing. This business is savvy enough to know that if half of their viewership is female, then they need to have staff that appeals to the female audience.

Contrary to John Moffitt’s statement, we DO live in a society where women can do most everything men can do. Perhaps, except, urinating on parked cars. The contortions of that are simply a lot more difficult for us women.

Sarah Colonna Talks Life with Jon Ryan, and Designing Purses for the 12s

When Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan spotted Sarah Colonna on the TV show “Chelsea Lately”, he had an immediate crush.  Wanting a chance to meet the witty and beautiful comedian, Jon approached a mutual friend (Ross Mathews) and asked him to introduce the two.  Ross, who was also on Chelsea Lately at the time, just happened to be a big Seahawks fan.  Ross made a deal with Jon – he would introduce the two only if the Seahawks won their next game.
Needless to say…Jon Ryan won more than just a game that day.
Two years later, Ross Mathews officiated the wedding of the NFL star and the actress/comedian/best-selling author.  The nuptials added another role to Sarah's busy life – that of an NFL wife.
Sarah has embraced her new role as the spouse of Seattle's favorite Canadian.  She has a deep love for the loyal and (very) loud fans of the Seattle Seahawks.  In fact, she has embraced all aspects of being a 12…..except one.  Sarah, just like every other football fan, had to comply with the NFL's clear-bag policy.
Putting her entrepreneurial skills to use, Sarah decided to come up with a solution for the female NFL fan…a solution that would fit the size requirement and allow them to take a regular purse to NFL games.  She calls her new line of purses “Clutch Women”.
Sarah was gracious enough to answer questions about her life with Jon, and the inspiration behind her new line of hand bags.
What's it like being an NFL wife?
It's fun.  I wasn't sure what to expect from the other wives and what not…but they're all so nice and welcoming.  It's definitely not like what you see on TV (like on the show “WAGs”) with everyone flying private jets and getting into fights.  Sometimes I wish it was, lol.
Your thoughts on Seattle? The 12s?
It's the best, truly. I'm blown away every time I am at a game and see the energy of the 12s.  They're also such a great fan base…always so nice and you can truly see their love of the team.
Is Jon as funny as you?
I swear Jon is funnier than I am.  He just doesn't get paid for it.
Tell us about Clutch Women.  How did you get the idea?
I was carrying my stuff in a plastic bag one day last year, and to be frank it was smack in the middle of my “time of the month” as one might like to call it.  I was so annoyed that I can't have privacy or something nice to carry to a game that I might want to also use outside of a game.  So, I came up with the idea to make a nice, sporty but fashionable clutch that is the exact size they'll allow for a non-clear bag  (‘no larger than 4.5×6.5' as they state in their policy).
That size is hard to find, and when you do find it it's usually a little thing made of cloth and/or has logos all over it.  I thought why not make a nice purse, out of great material that also won't get ruined at a game (you can see all the material features on our website clutchwomen.com under “FAQs”—it's even stain resistant!).
Many concert venues are even enforcing this policy so it's a purse you'd want to carry on a night out, not just a game day purse.  They're made in the USA, too, which was important to me.  The factory is about 5 miles from my house in LA…it's so cool to go by and be hands on with the entire process.
Then, the final idea was to add the inspirational messages inside.
Do you design all the purses?
Yes, along with a woman who has her own line (shout out to M. Andonia!).  I hadn't done this before, so I came to her with my ideas and she helped it come to a reality.  I love that it can be worn on the shoulder or around your hip (there's a secret sleeve on the back if you wanna go hands free).  It was so fun to have a part in the design.
Was it your idea to have the inspirational message inside?
It was!  I wanted something extra special about the purses, and women lifting each other up is something I find really important.  So, the idea came to me of the different meanings of the word “clutch.”  I thought: if a player can be “Clutch,” so can we.  And I feel like what makes you a “Clutch” woman, friend, wife, etc…are certain things about your personality.  So that's what I wrote in the lining:  You're strong, You're loyal, you're Independent, you're fearless…you're clutch.
It's fun to open the purse and see a little reminder of why you're a bad ass.
The purses are selling out quickly.  Will there be more in stock
soon?
Yes.  We have a new stock of the solid navy, which is the perfect compliment to the Seahawks Navy jersey.  We had a limited amount of the Blue with the green sides, which were really popular as well.  Those will be back in stock end of October.  If anyone wants to stay in the loop on that, subscribe to the website.  I'll be emailing that list when they're back.
Will you expand this to other teams' colors?
My hope is to expand to every team color.  I had to start small, since it was a big investment and I'm learning as I go.  But the feedback has been so amazing.  I can't wait to have every color combo.  Obviously I started with Seahawks first.
And finally….what is your prediction for the Seahawks this season?
SUPER BOWL CHAMPS
With the Seattle home opener just a week away, get your Clutch Women purse right away.  After all, if Sarah is right about her prediction for the season, we have A LOT of games ahead of us.  GO HAWKS!
To purchase a Clutch Women purse, visit their website:
www.clutchwomen.com

Dear Colin Kaepernick…

Dear Colin Kaepernick,

Last Friday, you chose to remain seated while the National Anthem played at Levi’s Stadium before the 49ers preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.  This action provoked a huge response across all media platforms….from cries of first amendment rights, to 49ers fans burning your jerseys.  You awoke the “patriotic giant”, so to speak.

And while I’ll be the first to say that I respect your right to have an opinion on social issues….I also respect mine.  After all, that’s what makes America great, right?

To begin, let’s be honest – you knew what you did would evoke emotion and attention.  Your quote (below) has been read by millions of people with responses flooding the Internet.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.  To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.  There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

So Colin, here’s the problem.  Although this was clearly the point of your actions….to rile up the crowd and get the nation talking – you chose (in my opinion), a cowardly approach.  While it’s true that people are talking, your choice of platform has evoked a response that is a far cry from the issue to which you wanted to bring attention.

It’s easy for people to take shots at the irony that you are a black football player making millions of dollars a year playing a professional sport while claiming to be “oppressed”.  And some even like to point out that you should stand up from a bench that you will probably sit on most of the season, or post memes of your large house, shoe collection, and other items of oppression that you own.  However, I prefer to take a different approach to your statement.  While I don’t think your individual circumstances should negate your opinion, I DO know that I was (as many Americans were) deeply insulted by your method of delivery.

Not standing for the National Anthem makes a non-verbal statement to everyone watching.  I was not watching the screen thinking of how brave you are to stand up for black lives….I was watching the screen thinking of what a coward you are to sit down in spite of sacrificed lives.  I believe your quote to be true…but only the first part.  You stated, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country”, and you could have ended it there.  This is the statement you made.  Or maybe you should have re-phrased it to read “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for MY country….MY country that has offered me great opportunity, to play a game….A GAME….and get paid millions of dollars to do so.  I am not going to stand up for MY country that allows me the freedom to make this statement in the first place.  I am not going to stand up for MY country or the men and women, black and white, who sacrificed their lives to get me here.  I am not going to stand up for MY country.

Colin Kaepernick, despite your current difficulties on the field, you are still a large name in the NFL and on social media.  If you’d like to make a statement, you have a million ways to do so.  I fully support your right to state your opinion, but it needs to be presented in a respectable manner.  It is very hard for me to value the opinion of people I don’t respect.  I can look past your bicep kisses, I can stomach your arrogance that exceeds ability, but not standing for the National Anthem has cost you my respect, and my attention.

The next time I hear “The Star Spangled Banner”, I will stand up (as I always do).  I will stand up and think of my grandfathers who served in WWII and the millions of others who have sacrificed.  I will stand up and think of the men and women who are away from their families at that very moment – so that I am afforded the privilege of watching an NFL football game in this great country. I will stand up and be thankful that I have the freedom to voice my opinion on this matter, and any others that I choose.

I will not, Colin Kaepernick, stand up and think of you.

-Jenny Goos

Will Kam’s Return Breathe New Life Into 0-2 Seahawks?

Kam Chancellor high fives teammates after coming out of the tunnel at CenturyLlink.

Kam Chancellor runs on the field before the offense is introduced on game day at CenturyLink. Photo by Brandan Schulze

If you heard a collective sigh of relief rush through the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday morning, rest assured it had nothing to do with the President of China’s motorcade heading North. As quickly as a Starbucks can misspell your name, news spread that Seattle’s beloved safety, Kam Chancellor, had ended his contract holdout and returned to the team. Chancellor’s return ended nearly two months of a negotiation stalemate with Seattle and came at a time when, for the first time since 2011, the Seahawks started their season with a disappointing record of 0-2.

Seattle fans knew that the Seahawks were slated to start the 2015 season with a tough two-game road trip. Games against the Rams and Packers, especially on their home turf, have historically been tough for the green and blue from the NW. But after big contracts (Russell Wilson), big acquisitions (Jimmy Graham) and a team that has been to the Super Bowl the last two years, a record of 0-2 seemed to startle many of the 12s. The disappointing start came with cries of questionable play calling, underutilization of Graham’s talents, and talk of a team that seemed out of sync.

And so, it seems, Chancellor’s return could not have come at a better time. Notably a leader both on and off the field, Kam’s teammates seemed to embrace his return with open arms. Missing in Chancellor’s absence was the tough mental and physical play he brings to every game. In week one, replacement Dion Bailey slipped while covering Rams tight end Lance Kendricks, allowing them to tie up the game on a last minute TD. The Seahawks eventually lost to St. Louis in overtime. And while no one player should be blamed for the Seahawks loss, the unfortunate slip only seemed to highlight Kam’s absence.

But now that the three-time Pro Bowler and noted team leader returns to the field, can Seattle reverse the tide? For the next few games, at least, it seems the odds are stacked in their favor. The schedule will soften drastically over the coming weeks, including back to back home games against the struggling Bears and Lions. Additionally, two of the next three road games are against the ever-imploding San Francisco 49ers and a Romo-less Cowboys team in Dallas.

And while both sides are keeping mum about the details of Chancellor’s return, Kam said he will deal with business at the end of the season.  As he stated to the press on Wednesday, it was simply “time to come back”.

As a Seattle fan, I couldn’t agree more.