Harger: The Seahawks are doing what politics can’t, uniting Seattle together

There’s something happening in Seattle this week. You can feel it.

The Seahawks are playing in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. It’s the first time in 11 years. And this town is buzzing in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.

I love moments like this.

Walk into any coffee shop, any grocery store, any office break room, and people are talking about the Hawks. They’re talking about Sam Darnold’s arm. They’re talking about Kenneth Walker breaking tackles. They’re talking about Jaxon Smith-Njigba making impossible catches look routine. They’re talking about “The Dark Side” and what that defense is going to do to the other team’s offense.

And they’re talking about Mike Macdonald. Second year as head coach. Building something special.

But here’s what I really love about this week.

Liberals, conservatives, and those who are indifferent, it doesn’t matter

Some of my most liberal friends are the biggest 12s you’ll ever meet. Some of my most conservative friends live and die by this team. And some of my “I don’t give a rip about politics” friends? They’re beyond excited. They’ve been waiting for this moment for over a decade.

For one weekend, none of that other stuff matters. We’re all just fans. We’re all just neighbors. We’re all just Seattle.

I turned 50 recently. And this is the Seahawks’ 50th season. Love for this team is generational around here. It gets passed down like a genetic trait.

One of our listeners, Chris the Reser’s Truck Driver, called in this week.

“This Sunday against the Rams, I get to go experience the game with my son CJ, who’s 12,” he said. “And he gets to make his first playoff game experience going to Seahawks game for the playoffs. And I’m sure it’ll be a special moment for him and me. And hopefully we get to celebrate together, and he’ll actually get to see his Seahawks go to the Super Bowl.”

Now, CJ’s old enough to remember this one for the rest of his life. Father and son. Sharing something that matters.

That’s what sports can do. That’s what community can do.

I know our world feels polarized right now. It feels angry. It feels like we’ve forgotten how to be neighbors. I’m not here to tell you that you’re wrong about whatever you believe. You’re not wrong for caring about the things you care about.

But if you think we can never come together again, that unity is impossible, that we’re too far gone? That this country is permanently ruptured? Well, you are wrong about that.

Look around this week. Look at what the Hawks are doing for this town.

People who disagree about everything are high-fiving strangers. They’re wearing the same jersey. They’re screaming at the same TV. They’re hoping for the same outcome.

If we can do it for football, we can do it for other things too. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not on every issue. But the capacity is still there. The muscle memory is still there.

We just need more moments like this to remind us.

So here’s to Sunday. Here’s to the 12s. Here’s to one more game that brings us all together.

Go Hawks.

Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here. 

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