Former Seahawks stay connected thanks to alumni association

Sunday’s NFC Championship will feel a lot like a college homecoming weekend of sorts for a number of former Seahawks, and that’s exactly the way Paul Johns wants it.

The former Seahawks receiver heads the Seahawks alumni program, an organization funded by the team to keep all former players connected to the organization.

It might be surprising to some fans who see their favorite players come and go, seemingly at the drop of a hat. But Johns says the organization has always believed strongly in taking care of its own, regardless of how long or how much they played.

“We don’t want alumni to think that we forgot them. We want to believe once a Seahawk always a Seahawk. It’s easy to say that with words, but you want to do that with action.”

The program, dubbed the Legends Community, offers former players a variety of benefits as well as a way to keep connected.

“We keep them informed of different programs for retired players, grants, medical and health benefits offered by the NFL player’s association and other things,” says Johns.

The program also offers a members-only website, similar to Facebook, to help former players find each other and keep in touch.

Several dozen former players are likely to be on hand for Sunday’s battle between the Seahawks and Packers at CenturyLink Field. Some will be working, many as broadcasters. Johns says it’s a thrill to have so many former Seahawks on the air, including Steve Raible, Warren Moon, Paul Moyer, Dave Wyman, Mack Strong, Sam Adkins and Craig Terrill on local radio and TV, not to mention Jordan Babineaux, Nate Burleson and Michael Robinson, all of whom are now regular contributors on the NFL Network.

Johns says a number of Ring of Honor members are also expected at the game including Hall of Famers Walter Jones and Steve Largent.

But lesser known players who might have only played for a brief time are welcomed and encouraged as well, says Johns. Nowhere is that more evident than at Seahawks headquarters in Renton. Inside the hallowed halls of the VMAC, the organization has erected the Seahawks All-Time Roster Wall.

According to Johns, the wall is the creation of Sandy Gregory, the Seahawks director of community outreach and the last remaining employee from the Seahawks’ inaugural season in 1976.

It features the names, numbers and signatures of every player who ever donned a Seahawks uniform during the regular season.

“If you put on a Seahawk uniform, and you ran out on that field, and you suited up for that game, you are a Seahawk,” says Johns.

The wall now includes over 900 players, starting with Ted Bachman, a cornerback from the very first Seahawks’ squad in 1976. It even includes replacement players that suited up for just four games during the ill-fated 1987 player’s strike.

Johns says for many, seeing their names on the wall is a moving experience.

“We’ve had former players coming in and didn’t think their name would be up there,” he says. “It makes them feel good when they bring their kids or their grandkids up there and they can see and show ‘hey dad or granddad really did play.’ That’s a good feeling to have.”

Thanks to the association, a number of players remain active and visible throughout the community. Johns helps connect them with everything from charity events to tailgate parties.

A highlight for Johns was celebrating the Seahawks first Super Bowl championship with a number of former players, the culmination of 38 years of blood, sweat and tears.

“I felt like that was a win for anyone who ever put on a Seahawks uniform and ran on that field and got hit and represented the Seattle Seahawks,” he says. “That’s a good feeling to have.”