TheSammamishWerners: NFC Champions!!

It's the day before the Super Bowl and we are READY to celebrate the most exciting Super Bowl in history! For those asking, I am 100% rooting for the Seahawks. I grew up a die hard Broncos fan, and John Elway was my hero. I didn't watch "The Drive", because I was too nervous and couldn't take it. I cried when they lost to the Giants in the '86 super bowl, and then was tormented by blowout losses in '87 and '89. All the pain and suffering made that first Super Bowl win over the Packers that much sweeter.

When I graduated from college I got season tickets to the Seahawks. I tried to make myself be a Seahawks fan, because I wanted my kids to root for the home team and wanted to truly be in it with them. The season ticket holding thing didn't work... AT ALL. I just couldn't get into the Seahawks and remained a loyal Broncos fan. For the first Seahawks Super Bowl I felt like an outsider. I was cheering for them, and even went to both home playoff games. But I was a bandwagoner. The Broncos were still my team, and my heart just still wasn't that into it.

Things began to change in earnest 3 years ago. Jackson began to really understand football to the point that he would watch the entire game with me and really get into it He naturally like both the Seahawks and Broncos and we watched the games together each weekend.

Last year the Seahawks stole Jackson's heart. He found his heroes. He gravitated to their personalities. He lived week to week, floating with the victories, and sagging after the losses. The big moment was the Packers game that I took him to on Monday Night Football. I saw the tears welling up in his eyes as the Seahawks lined up for the last play, expecting the loss. Then the miracle happened... Russell Wilson to Golden Tate on the most famous Hail Mary in NFL history.

The transformation was complete. At that moment Jackson was initiated into a world so many of us Dads know so well. As a dad, you kind of know your kid will be crazy like you. You wonder when it will happen, you wonder which team it will be. And once it happened it was all over for me. I was all in for the Seahawks. I wanted that epic playoff moment with Jackson. My dad and I went to the famous Game 5 Mariners vs Yankees Refuse to Lose game in 1995. That was the most thrilling sports memory of my life. I wanted that moment for Jackson.

Moments after the win on Monday Night Football vs the Packers, September 2012. We have a Seahawk fan for life

Enter the 2013 Seahawks. This whole season has been a roller coaster, the entire city captivated by this team. After so many narrow escapes and thrilling victories, we got what we wanted: home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I was lucky enough to find tickets for the playoffs, and took Jackson to both games.

The Saints game was a blur. We were on edge for the whole game, and while the Seahawks had a small lead for most of the game, our nerves were getting the best of us. Late in the game, with the Hawks up by 8, Jackson told me "I would give all of my spending money for some more points!" Wish granted, Marshawn Lynch scored on BeastQuake II two plays later. (I didn't take Jackson's money).

Getting amped with Richard Sherman at the Saints game

On to the NFC championship. Beloved Seahawks vs Hated Niners. Good vs Evil. Our Refuse to Lose moment was here. We just needed the Seahawks to come through for us. Per the script, the game started with disaster. Fumble, first play of game. Double digit deficit for us in the first half. A team that had come from behind to win time and time again this season would have to do it one more time. Just like the '95 Mariners. Would Jackson's heroes come through? Would they fail him?

Marshawn Lynch once again got it going with another epic touchdown run.... he's 'bout that action boss! Russell Wilson with the perfect toss for the go ahead touchdown pass. And at the end, wasn't it always destined to come down to Richard Sherman? The moment will be frozen in time for the rest of Jackson's life. The ball sailing towards Sherman with the game in the balance. The way Griffey rounding third is still frozen for me 18 years later. Tip... interception... ballgame!!! We are going to the Super Bowl!

So this family is 100% all in for the Seahawks tomorrow. Kenzie, Jackson and I will be making Seahawk decorations all weekend. And we will all have our blue Seahawks jerseys on tomorrow, with our hearts in our throats along with the rest of the Northwest.

GO HAWKS!!!