NFL Seattle Seahawks

5 Reasons Why Seattle Seahawks’ 12th Man is a Sham

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By @Mchughinthebean

5 Reasons Why Seattle Seahawks' 12th Man is a Sham

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Seattle Seahawks fans love to brag and boast about how they are the loudest and most passionate fans in the NFL. They like to brag that they set a world record and caused an earthquake. There is no doubt that Seattle is arguably the noisiest place to play in the league. However, the 12th man is not exactly what it seems.

5. They're Not the Only NFL Team to Use the Phrase

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Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

5. They're Not the Only NFL Team to Use the Phrase

buffalo bills 12th man
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The "12th Man" phrase has been used in the past by the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears. The name just seemed to stick in Seattle for reasons that will be explored later in the slideshow.

4. The 12th Man is a Marketing Scheme

NFL: New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

4. The 12th Man is a Marketing Scheme

NFL: New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The marketing team for the Seattle Seahawks is possibly the most clever in the industry. By labeling Seahawks fans as the "12th Man," they have likely greatly increased the revenue of the organization. The fans feel that they truly have an impact on the game which increases ticket sales. The "12th Man" fan jerseys are a whole new aspect of generating revenue for a football organization; in March it climbed to 10th in overall jersey sales.

3. The Stadium is Designed to be Loud

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Stadium is Designed to be Loud

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The partial roof and seating decks combine to amplify sound throughout the stadium and reflects it back down onto the field. The fans are not necessarily responsible for the ear-drum bursting noise levels of the stadium, but rather CenturyLink Field's architectural firm Ellerbe Becket.

2. The "12th Man" Originally Belonged to Texas A&M

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Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

2. The "12th Man" Originally Belonged to Texas A&M

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Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M's tradition began back in 1922, over 50 years before the Seahawks were an NFL organization. It began when a depleted Texas A&M football team pulled a fan, E. King Gill from the stands and suited him up to play. Gill never actually played in the game, but it makes for a great back story, which Seattle's "12th Man" is lacking.

1. Seattle Had to Buy the Phrase "12th Man" from Texas A&M

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Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. Seattle Had to Buy the Phrase "12th Man" from Texas A&M

johnny manziel cleveland browns
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In 2006, Texas A&M filed a lawsuit against the Seattle Seahawks for trademark infringement. The two parties settled the suit outside of court. Texas A&M gave Seattle the license to use the phrase in exchange for $ 100,000, the acknowledgment of Texas A&M's ownership of the "12th Man" and an additional annual fee.

Kevin McHugh is a Boston Celtics writer for www.Rantsports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @MchughintheBean or add him to your network on Google.

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