Days Before 49ers Clash, Seahawks Pause Practice to Meet “Father of the Seahawks” Battling Serious Illness — Emotional Visit Leaves Seattle in Tears

Seattle, Washington – January 14, 2026

Just days before a pivotal playoff clash with the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks made a decision that left the NFL stunned — a decision not found in any playbook, but one that went straight to the heart of an entire city.

On Tuesday morning, the Seahawks intentionally halted their practice at the team facility. It wasn’t due to injuries, nor was it about adjusting schemes. Instead, the entire organization — players, coaches, and key staff members alike — stepped into a moment of meaning.

They devoted the morning to Tom Barnum — the man who helped name the Seattle Seahawks in 1975 and the team’s quiet “founding father.” According to team sources, Barnum is currently battling a serious illness day by day, and the meeting was viewed as a profound gesture of gratitude during the final chapter of his life’s journey.

There were no television lights.
No chants or speeches.

Only silence — and respect.

Barnum sat before players carrying Super Bowl dreams and shared the story from nearly 50 years ago — when Seattle entrusted fans with naming the franchise, when thousands of ideas poured in, and when the name “Seahawks” was chosen, inspired by the seabirds of the Puget Sound — symbols of strength, freedom, and the spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

He never called himself a legend. But everyone in that room understood a simple truth: without him, the name stitched across their chests would not exist.

Several players were moved to tears. Not because of playoff pressure. Not because of the 49ers. But because, for the first time, they truly touched the roots of the franchise they represent.

Seahawks leader Sam Darnold spoke on behalf of the team following the meeting:

“He’s not just the father of this meaningful name — he’s the person who helped us understand why the Seahawks logo on our chest carries so much weight. Today, it wasn’t just the players, but the coaches, staff, and Seahawks fans standing beside him, just as he’s stood by this organization for so many years. It reminded us that this journey isn’t only played on the field — it lives in the community. And for all of us, Seahawks will always be home.”

For decades, Tom Barnum never stood on the sideline or lifted the Lombardi Trophy. Yet the name he helped create has lived through every Seahawks era — from the early struggles, to Super Bowl glory, and now to another playoff battle.

When the meeting ended, the Seahawks returned to the field — not lighter, but heavier with responsibility.

Because now, the game against the 49ers is about more than winning or losing.
It’s a promise.
A continuation.

And it’s how Seattle takes the field carrying the legacy of a quiet man — the one who gave them the name an entire city loves.

Go Hawks.