Seahawks fan creates website to “Bring Back Matt”
Jul 25, 2011, 4:24 PM | Updated: 5:00 pm
 Free agent QB Matt Hasselbeck can sign a contract as soon as Friday. (AP photo) |
By Michael Simeona
MyNorthwest.com editor
While the future of veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is still uncertain, one member of the 12th Man is trying his hardest for him to remain in Seattle.
Brandon Scheller, 25, has created a website – BringBackMatt.com – in hopes that Hasselbeck will remain a Seahawk once the free agency period begins on Friday.
Reports from ESPN’s John Clayton suggest that Hasselbeck’s time in Seattle has expired as the team has strong interest in free agent quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Now that the NFL lockout has officially ended, the reality of Hasselbeck playing in a different uniform is something Scheller doesn’t want to see happen.
“We just want to show Matt that the 12th Man supports him, and we want to see him retire as a Seahawk,” Scheller said.
Scheller came up with the idea for the website a few weeks ago while the NFL lockout was still in full effect. After quitting his job to pursue an MBA in Marketing at the University of Washington, Scheller sought help from Jason Bittle, a friend who is a graphic designer by trade, to create the professional design of the website.
They took the social media world by storm Monday morning after the NFLPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that ensured the end to the lockout, and the return of NFL football.
Their Twitter account (@BringBackMatt) had so much action Monday that an administrator shut down the account because they thought it was spam. Even the administrator of the Matt Hasselbeck Facebook fan page loved the idea: “Whoever created this website, nice job. Thanks for your support!”
The Seahawks are able to negotiate a new contract with Hasselbeck as soon as Tuesday, but wouldn’t be able to sign him until Friday. Although the Seahawks can potentially re-sign the 12-year veteran this weekend, 31 other teams are able to pursue his services as well.
No matter what happens, Scheller hopes Hasselbeck realizes how much he has meant to this city, and more importantly, the 12th Man.
“He’s the best quarterback we’ve ever had,” Scheller said, “and we just want him to know the [12th Man] has his support.”
