Seattle Seahawks Face of the Franchise: Who Rules in the Emerald City?

Since the Seahawks joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1976 Seattle sports fans have been able to watch a host of talented football players throughout the years. 

Although the Seahawks have yet to bring home a Super Bowl title the team can still hold onto the fact that some of the all-time greats at their respective positions have played in Seattle.

With that in mind who is the all-time face of the franchise?  This article takes a stab at answering this question as the five greatest Seahawks are presented in reverse order.

Matt Hasselbeck

After finally beating out Trent Dilfer and becoming the Seahawks starting QB for the entirety of the season in 2003 Matt Hasselbeck had a solid seven-year run as the Seahawks signal caller.

Despite being a bit injury prone and never putting up all-world statistics Hasselbeck left last offseason as the best Seahawk QB in franchise history.  His list of accolades as a Seahawk include 3 Pro-Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection.

More importantly Hasselbeck leaves as the only Seahawk QB to lead the team to the Super Bowl.

Cortez Kennedy

Even though the Seahawks teams that Cortez Kennedy played for ranged from atrocious to mediocre Kennedy certainly left his mark in Seattle.  The former number three pick in the 1990 NFL Draft is arguably one of the finer defensive tackles in league history and will be a member of the 2012 NFL Hall of Fame class.

Kennedy, a four time All-Pro selection and eight time Pro-Bowl selection, had his finest season in 1992 when he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a phenomenal campaign that included 14 sacks.  A Seahawks lifer Kennedy ended his playing days in 2000 with 668 tackles and 58 sacks.

Shaun Alexander

After a making minimal impact in his rookie season Shaun Alexander exploded onto the NFL scene in 2001 with 1,318 rushing yards and 14 TD’s.

This proved not to be a fluke as in the following four seasons Alexander rushed for a combined 6,186 yards and 73 TD’s.  During this stretch Alexander was a two-time NFC rushing champion, a two-time All-Pro selection and a three time Pro-Bowl selection.

Alexander’s 2005 season was truly one for the ages as Alexander won league MVP with an astounding 1,880 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns.  Unfortunately from that point on Alexander was never the same back as injuries took a toll on the former Crimson Tide star.

Alexander left Seattle after the 2007 season for a brief stint with the Washington Redskins with 9,429 rushing yards and 88 TD’s as a Seahawk.

Steve Largent

With sure hands and a penchant for always being open Steve Largent became the Seahawks first true star during his playing career from 1976-1989. 

During his 14 year career with the Seahawks Largent was an selected to the Pro-Bowl 8 times and the All-Pro team 7 times.

At the time of his retirement in 1989 Largent left the NFL as the all time leader in receptions, 819, receiving yards, 13,089, and TD reception, 100.  Although these records have fallen at the hands of Jerry Rice any discussion of the NFL’s top WR’s should include Largent.

Walter Jones

It may seem strange to have an offensive tackle as the Seahawks face of the franchise but Walter Jones’ dominance in thirteen years as a ‘Hawk makes him the choice for Seahawks face of the franchise.

After being selected sixth overall by the Seahawks in the 1997 Draft Jones made an instant impact as he was named to the All-Rookie team.  His first of 9 Pro-Bowl selections wasn’t far behind as Jones was selected to the Pro-Bowl team in 1999. 

Jones playing career was cut short due to knee injuries but his impact is obvious, he paved the way for two of the other members on this list with his work up front.  For this reason Jones is the selection as the Seahawks face of the franchise