Seahawks history: The 1983 AFC Championship game
Jan 15, 2014, 6:48 AM | Updated: 10:36 am
With a huge game for the NFC championship just days away for our Seahawks it’s time to take another look back at the ups and downs in the dramatic history of the Hawks.
As the 70’s became the 80’s – local heroes like quarterback Jim Zorn and receiver Steve Largent emerged as stars with big endorsements like the Dairy Board, where they sang “moo, moo, moo, moo, moo.”
Yes, they could sing, but as NFL Films pointed out, “Now the Seahawks face a tougher challenge.”
In 1983, the team entered the thirteenth week of that season with a 6-and-6 record. Then they caught fire and fought their way into their first ever playoff spot.
They passed the first hurdle by stomping the Denver Broncos by 31 to 7.
Then came the second hurdle – and it was high. “The experts predicted a Seahawks defeat at the hands of the defending AFC champions Dolphins,” recounts NFL films. “The fairy tale had gone on long enough. It was time for a return to reality, but Seattle knew that in all good fairy tales, miracles can happen.”
Their instructions in the huddle were clear, “We’re going to challenge them, everybody has got to give everything they got. No offsides, run like hell, we’ve got to set the pace. Break!”
With just a few minutes left on the clock, the Hawks were up 17 to 13, and then an interception led the Dolphins to take the upper hand, 20 to 17.
Was there enough time for one more miracle?
You’re damn right there was. With two amazing passes, the Hawks drove that ball down the field and into the end zone.
Touchdown Seahawks!
Even the Hawks announcers sounded stunned, “The Seahawks are going to play in the AFC Championship next week. It’s hard to believe.”
Asks the other announcer, “Did you ever think you’d hear yourself say that?”
It was the highest point so far in Hawks history. Sadly – it remained that way as they lost their bid to become AFC champions to the Los Angeles Raiders, 30-14.
1983 is a glorious but painful season on which to look back. But once again, just one game stands between our Hawks and the Super Bowl.
As George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
So now that we’ve remembered, we will not repeat it.
