That awesome moment was just one of many for Hasselbeck during a 10-year career in Seattle. One of Mike Holmgren's biggest moves while in charge of the Seahawks was trading for Hasselbeck, then a young backup quarterback in Green Bay, in March of 2001, and Hasselbeck made that decision look brilliant during a career that would see him earn Pro Bowl honors three times, set numerous franchise passing records, and most importantly, help lead the team to six playoff appearances, including five straight from 2003 to 2007, five NFC West titles and the first Super Bowl appearance in Seahawks history. Prior to the Holmgren and Hasselbeck era in Seattle, the Seahawks had been the playoffs just five times since joining the NFL as an expansion team in 1976.

"This has been a great situation," Hasselbeck said late in the 2010 season. "I think for me the most special thing was coming here when we really weren't a good team, it was hard to get this thing turned back around, and build something special here. So I take so much pride in that and for the opportunity that I was given. ... I think that that makes it special. And for all of those reasons the Seahawks and this whole organization means a lot to me for that reason."

During his time in Seattle, Hasselbeck rewrote the Seahawks record books, setting numerous records, including passing yards (29,434), completions (2,559) and attempts (4,250). His 174 touchdowns passes rank second in franchise history to Dave Krieg's 195, and prior to Russell Wilson's brilliant 2015 campaign, Hasselbeck also had the team record for yards and touchdowns in a season.

"I don't even know how to put it into words," Chris Spencer, a teammate of Hasselbeck's for six seasons, said of his quarterback's significance to the team in 2010. "He came here, learned under Mike Holmgren and took this team to places it had never been — Super Bowl, playoffs, division championships, things that had never been done here. Plus, the thing he does on the field, he's in the community doing just as much. You can't say enough about a guy like Hasselbeck."

If enough can't be said about a guy like Hasselbeck, we'll just leave it at this: Congrats, Matt, on a fantastic career.

After 18 years in the NFL, one of the best and most important players in Seahawks history is calling it a career. Matt Hasselbeck, the quarterback who helped lead Seattle to heights the franchise had not previously reached, announced Wednesday that he is retiring from professional football and will work for ESPN as an analyst.

"As a kid, playing in the NFL was always my dream and it turned out to be way more fun than I could've ever imagined," Hasselbeck said in a press release. "Throughout 18 incredible seasons, I had the chance to forge many relationships with teammates, coaches and staff that I will cherish forever. Those relationships made my playing career all the more memorable. With the support of my family, we've made the decision to embark on the next chapter. I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity to have represented the NFL and so many great teams."

Hasselbeck spent his final five seasons in Tennessee and Indianapolis, but the three-time Pro Bowler will always be a big part of Seahawks history. And while Hasselbeck's NFL career continued beyond his 10 seasons with the Seahawks, he did get something of a storybook ending to his playing days in Seattle.

In his final home game, Hasselbeck led the 7-9 NFC West champion Seahawks to a stunning upset victory over the defending champion New Orleans Saints. Years later, that game is best remembered for Marshawn Lynch's "Beast Quake" run that helped clinch victory, but what should not be forgotten is how well Hasselbeck played to put the Seahawks in position to win that game. In his second to last game as a Seahawk, and last at CenturyLink Field, Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 272 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Seahawks be the unlikely victors of a 41-36 a shootout with Saints.

After the game, Hasselbeck, a free-agent-to-be, walked off the field with his son Henry on his shoulders and daughters Mallory and Annabelle at his side.

"It was awesome seeing my kids out there," Hasselbeck said after the game. "… It was just really cool. I remember as a kid always wanting to go down on the field with my dad, and I don't know if I ever did. I don't know if it was a (Bill) Parcells rule that you weren't allowed to or what, so it was really cool. I know it's special to them and it's special to me. The atmosphere was just awesome."

That awesome moment was just one of many for Hasselbeck during a 10-year career in Seattle. One of Mike Holmgren's biggest moves while in charge of the Seahawks was trading for Hasselbeck, then a young backup quarterback in Green Bay, in March of 2001, and Hasselbeck made that decision look brilliant during a career that would see him earn Pro Bowl honors three times, set numerous franchise passing records, and most importantly, help lead the team to six playoff appearances, including five straight from 2003 to 2007, five NFC West titles and the first Super Bowl appearance in Seahawks history. Prior to the Holmgren and Hasselbeck era in Seattle, the Seahawks had been the playoffs just five times since joining the NFL as an expansion team in 1976.

"This has been a great situation," Hasselbeck said late in the 2010 season. "I think for me the most special thing was coming here when we really weren't a good team, it was hard to get this thing turned back around, and build something special here. So I take so much pride in that and for the opportunity that I was given. ... I think that that makes it special. And for all of those reasons the Seahawks and this whole organization means a lot to me for that reason."

During his time in Seattle, Hasselbeck rewrote the Seahawks record books, setting numerous records, including passing yards (29,434), completions (2,559) and attempts (4,250). His 174 touchdowns passes rank second in franchise history to Dave Krieg's 195, and prior to Russell Wilson's brilliant 2015 campaign, Hasselbeck also had the team record for yards and touchdowns in a season.

"I don't even know how to put it into words," Chris Spencer, a teammate of Hasselbeck's for six seasons, said of his quarterback's significance to the team in 2010. "He came here, learned under Mike Holmgren and took this team to places it had never been — Super Bowl, playoffs, division championships, things that had never been done here. Plus, the thing he does on the field, he's in the community doing just as much. You can't say enough about a guy like Hasselbeck."

If enough can't be said about a guy like Hasselbeck, we'll just leave it at this: Congrats, Matt, on a fantastic career.