Seahawks GM calls out 12th Man in an effort to raise autism awareness

Seahawks’ General Manager John Schneider has a deal for the 12th Man. From signed footballs by Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman to game balls and jerseys.

On Wednesday, KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson talked with John Schneider, general manager of the Seahawks, and his wife, Traci.

The discussion did touch upon contract negotiations involving key players, such as Wilson and his aims to play baseball.

“Russell has talked a lot about this dalliance with baseball,” Dori said. “If you guys give him a contract in the neighborhood of what we are all anticipating, would you want him to rule baseball out?”

John had little to say about the current negotiations.

“I, quite frankly, haven’t thought much about the baseball aspect of it,” John said. “Based on the position he plays in baseball, I think it would be difficult.”

Schneider on Wilson playing baseball: ‘I think it would be difficult’

The Schneiders weren’t visiting Dori to discuss football, though. The couple discussed their efforts to raise autism awareness and their experience with their 13-year-old autistic son, Ben. Specifically, they were putting a call out to the 12th Man and pointing to Ben’s Fund, a fundraiser that provides grant opportunities to Washington families facing issues related to autism.

“It is the coolest thing to give funds and support to families in the State of Washington that are on this autism journey with their kids,” Traci said. “It is such a blessing to hear back from them and get thank you notes and updates on things that Ben’s Funds can support their kiddos with.”

“We’ve been able to give grants to support summer camps, iPads for kids that have a hard time communicating; it’s a way for them to communicate with their families,” she said. “We’ve been able to do fences so kids don’t run away from their own backyards. We’ve been able to do support service dogs, and the list goes on and on. Therapy appointments, doctors appointments, things that these families otherwise would not be able to afford.”

Seahawks fans can contribute to the cause, while also grabbing some collectable team gear. An online auction is live at bensfund.seahawks.com where fans can bid on footballs signed by Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman and a jersey signed by Bruce Irvin.

From April 27-May 1, additional auction items will go live, such as a used football from the November 2014 game with the San Francisco 49ers, and another football signed by Wilson and Kam Chancellor.

Minimum bids are $250.