Seahawks QB Geno Smith keeps his eyes down field. (Maria Dorsten Photography)

Seahawks QB Geno Smith keeps his eyes down field. (Maria Dorsten Photography)

Seahawks fans come out in droves for Kids Day

Hawks close out public practices and will face the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 19 for their final preseason home contest.

The recent stretch of fan-attended practices at Seahawks training camp came to a close Aug. 16 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Before practice, kids of all ages were on the south field running 40-yard dashes, cutting and juking through cones and even catching touchdown passes from Seahawks staff members.

“My favorite (event) was running the 40,” said Jaden Falcon from Monroe.

The Seahawks were honoring kids on the final day fans could attend preseason practice. For parents attending, it’s a day they seek out and enjoy attending. The training camp has been a tradition for Kerrie Allen’s family, including her son Ryder.

“We’ve been going since Ryder was three years old, so six years now,” Kerrie Allen said.

Pete Carroll looks over the punt team at the beginning of practice. (Maria Dorsten Photography)

Pete Carroll looks over the punt team at the beginning of practice. (Maria Dorsten Photography)

Training camp provides fans an up close and personal experience watching the Seahawks. Some even have a secret for getting autographs.

“He (Ryder) has a secret. He drops the ball and then the player picks it up and can’t help but sign it,” Allen said. If anyone got a peek at Ryder’s football, they could see that the strategy did more than get the job done.

Fans from all over the state came out to support their home football team. Before practice got underway, the Walker family from Silverdale got a special treat as players were coming on to the practice field. Their daughters got one-on-one pictures with Seahawks players including Tyler Lockett.

“Oh my god. It was awesome and we got to see Tyler Lockett!” Johnnie Walker said.

Players like Geno Smith, Bobby Wagner and DK Metcalf will always be crowd favorites. Some of the kids who got to go on the field love just being Seahawks fans. Their favorite aspects are “the energy of the stadium and the Hawks community,” said Bernan Agayo and Caden Falcon.

Fans have a lot of hope for this year’s Seahawks team. The Walkers are hoping for a Super Bowl, and Kerrie Allen “thinks we got it dialed in.” The players feel the energy as well: “We’re just stacking days. It’s been a lot of fun and we’re all getting better,” said Quarterback Geno Smith.

Bobby Wagner getting some stretching in on the sidelines. (Maria Dorsten Photography)

Bobby Wagner getting some stretching in on the sidelines. (Maria Dorsten Photography)

An important part of the Seahawks’ team, and really any team, is the offensive line. The Hawks started two rookies last season at the right and left tackle positions, and Smith has seen their maturity first hand.

“With that second year, they’re even more confident. I trust those guys. We’ve played a lot of games together and they’re going to continue to lead this offense,” Smith said.

Second-year Seahawk Noah Fant met with the media after practice and looks to build on a strong 2022 season with a good 2023, especially in partnership with other tight ends.

“I think the cohesion in our room is good. We all like playing with each other and have fun with each other,” Fant said. “The tight end room is always a fun, laid back group, but has to get down to business.”

Noah Fant and Geno Smith look to build and improve on last season and close the gap to division rival San Francisco. The Hawks have two more preseason games, including a home game against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 19. On Sept. 10, the Seahawks open the regular season at Lumen Field against the Los Angeles Rams.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Cody Stoner (Sr. Soccer) and Ayla Johnson-Souza (Sr. Track and Field) are this weeks winners.

Kentwood’s Hamza Abdille and Dylan Chavez shake hands after the game’s first goal. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood soccer’s search for first win continues after 3-2 loss

Ethan Nonthaveth’s 47th minute goal to take the lead was not enough to outlast the Tigers.

Delano Valerio takes the ball from Auburn Mountainview. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent-Meridian soccer clashes with Lions and leaves level

Royals were down 2-0 and even took a lead, but could not hang on.

Kentlake junior Kaylee Guiles finds a hole in against Kent-Meridian. Ben Ray / The Reporter
WIAA sanctions girls flag football for high schools

Updates from assembly include transfer portal and rules for transgender athletes.

Jo Thompson in action against Auburn Riverside. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge’s Thompson strikes out 18 in win vs. Auburn Riverside

Kentridge defeats Auburn Riverside 3-1 in first meeting of the season.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kent-Meridian

Keira Wu (Jr. Tennis) and Kade Cagampang (Fr. Baseball) are this weeks winners.

Keilor Garcia puts Decatur to bed after scoring the second Royals goal of the night. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Royals boys soccer wins seventh straight after slow start

Kent-Meridian downs Decatur and creeps toward the top of the standings.

Matthew Ledbetter on the mound for Kentlake. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Enumclaw no-hits Kentlake: Cooper Markham strikes out 19

Kentlake’s Ledbetter punches out 11 in the loss.

Kentlake sprinter takes first place in the first heat of the 100 meter dash. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Track: Kentlake boys and girls beat Thomas Jefferson

Falcon boys move to 1-1 in duals while the girls move to 2-0 on the season.

Braeden Cootes will lead the Kent-based Seattle Thunderbirds against the Everett Silvertips in a best-of-seven Western Hockey League playoff series. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL Playoff Preview: Kent-based Seattle vs Everett

Thunderbirds and Silvertips open best-of-seven series Friday, March 28 in Everett

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Senior Ethan Sugimoto (baseball) and Jozi Thompson (Fastpitch, So.) are this weeks winners.

Sumo Dog’s The Godzilla was the favorite of the day at the Menu Preview Day. Photo by Ben Ray/Sound Publishing
Hall of Fame-worthy ballpark eats at T-Mobile Park in 2025

The Mariners Menu Preview Day brought local cuisine and legendary baseball dedications to the 2025 season, with opening day on March 27.