The roaring thunderclap of Seattle Seahawks fans inside Qwest Field stadium on game days has become something of legend. Reported as having reached a noise level of as high as 137 decibels. A loudness, which surpasses that of a Boeing 747's deafening 130 decibels.

Qwest Field is widely recognized as the most ear-piercing stadium in the National Football League (NFL).

The visionary behind Qwest Field's design is, team owner and Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen.

Shortly after purchasing the Seahawks from former owner Ken Behring in 1997, Allen approached a major architectural firm, Ellerbe Becket, for assistance in planning and creating his team's new stadium.

Allen worked very closely with Loschky Marquardt & Nesholm, architects of Ellerbe Becket. Making sure that every design idea and concept had his leading edge fingerprint on them.

Seattle's football fans' dream of having a new sports venue, became a reality, when construction of Qwest Field began in 2000. Two years later, Allen's architectural brainchild had turned into a stunning superstructure, ready to house a revitalized Seahawks team and its squawking followers.

At the heart of the stadiums inception, were feelings of nostalgia. Conjured by Allen's memories of visiting The University of Washington's Husky stadium at a young age. In 2002, Allen shared some of those memories in a rare interview with The Seattle Times.

"That's how I got my first taste of football when I went with my father to Husky Stadium. We'd eat hot dogs and watch football played outside in the elements. That has a special gritty, outdoorsy thing to that experience that I loved as a kid."

Interestingly enough, Husky Stadium just so happens to currently be recognized as, the most clamorous college football stadium in the nation. With a decibel level registering in at 131, slightly less than the Seahawks' modern marvel.

The influence of childhood visits to Husky Staduim with his father, and being "outside in the elements", no doubt played a part in Allen's decision to keep Qwest's crown partially open. As he rejected initial designs, which included a retractable ceiling.

Qwest Field is a hybrid stadium. Its roof covers 70 percent of the stadiums seats, yet has an uncovered field, which allows for weather-factor. It's the perfect middle-ground for fans that are partial to the full quality of either style, open or closed.

The stadium's frame is a three-quarter loop, with a horseshoe-shaped contour.

It has a sectional, triangulated north-end open set of metallic bleachers, said to help magnify the cheering cries of the of its occupants.

The seating, at every level inside, has been down-shifted to sit as close to the field as possible. Which puts low tiered fans almost at ground level. Creating a virtual boom in the ears of opposing teams' offenses. Its scalped roof top, also helps with redirecting and magnifying Seahawk fans' riotous banter.

Its seating capacity of 67,000 may seem small in comparison to most other NFL stadiums, but don't let that fool you. As that of Qwest Field's internal resounding capability, can be likened to the Bellowing sound effect a pipe organ has in a church.

According to NFL.com, Qwest's noise factor has been attributed to causing 107 false-start penalties since 2005, an average of 2.38 per game. That's more than any other team stadium in pro football.

On top of being considered the loudest stadium in the NFL, Qwest Field also boasts some of the most scenic views around.  At its open north end, is a spectacular eye-shot of beautiful downtown Seattle. At its south, the breath taking image of a snowcapped Mount Rainer, the most conspicuous mountain in the contiguous United States.

Paul Allen's quest of creating one of the most awe inspiring stadiums in the NFL is an accomplishment that will remain a part of his extensive legacy for many years to come.

Thank you, Mr. Allen, for giving both your team and its fans something to be immensely proud of.