Seahawks get cheers from fans on way to Chicago

Lots of fans, plenty of 12th Man flags and even a mini horse showed up outside the Virginia Mason Athletic Center to cheer the Seahawks' team buses on the way to the airport Friday.

Around 100 fans gathered, dressed in their Seahawk gear, and cheered like crazy as the Seahawk team buses drove by around 1:30 p.m.

The mini horse, Teddy, drew a big crowd reaction when he showed up wearing a blue blanket with a big No. 17 on the side.

"We dressed up in our blue and put Teddy's number to come up here," said J.R. Sundholm of Snohomish, Teddy's owner. "And it worked out for him because I found out (Mike) Williams is a good player."

Williams wears No. 17 for the Seahawks and led the team in receptions and receiving yards.

Fan Donny Dang of Lynnwood led the wave and other chants as the crowd waited for the team to drive by. He certainly stuck out with bright blue paint from the neck up, except for a small patch of hair on the back of his head in the shape of a "12" and dyed bright green.

"I wore this for the whole season," Dang said. "I wanted to come up here and keep the celebration going from Saturday's win."

Renton Police briefly stopped traffic on I-405 to allow the Seahawks motorcade to merge on as a group.

A crowd of about 40 lined the I-405 overpass near old City Hall in downtown Renton, waving and acknowledging the horns of passing motorists. The noise erupted when the Seahawks motorcade passed by.

City Council member Don Persson was in the crowd.

"They are going to go all the way," said Persson.

There's talk of trying to bring the parade to Renton if the Seahawks win the Super Bowl.

The Seahawks play the Chicago Bears Sunday at 10 a.m. The winner advances to the NFC Championship game.

Contact Renton Reporter Staff Writer Adam McFadden at amcfadden@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484.

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