For someone who spent his Hall of Fame career with the Seahawks sidestepping the limelight, Walter Jones hasn’t been able to stop treading directly into it since retiring last year.
First, there was the ceremony to add his retired No. 71 to the rafters at CenturyLink Field in December. In July, the nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle had molds of his huge hands made for display as part of the grand opening of the team’s new Pro Shop in downtown Seattle.
But Tuesday, the remembering Big Walt activities were taken to yet another level when a statue of Jones in his blocking stance was unveiled in the north satellite at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Seahawks 12 Club.
“It’s a great moment,” said Jones, who was joined on this occasion – as he was at CenturyLink Field last season – by his daughter, Waleria; and son, Walterius.
“It shows the hard work that I put in. So to get the respect and the honor, it’s great.”
A great moment made even more memorable for Jones because he got to share it with his 11-year-old twins.
“It’s great that my kids get a chance to experience this and see the hard work that I put in,” Jones said. “So it’s a good example to them.”
For their part, Jones’ kids already knew he was special.
“We love our dad and we’re very happy for him,” Waleria said. “But we already knew how great he is.”
The statue on the side entrance to the restaurant and bar is a fitting tribute to Jones. He is one of the best players in franchise history – and arguably the best. No one in the team’s 35-year history was as dominant at his position as long as Jones was.
And speaking of the team’s history, the 12 Club also features a timeline that highlights the best moments in Seahawks history – as well as a main entrance designed to look like the arches at CenturyLink Field. The soffit above the bar eventual will feature a tribute to the 10 people who have been inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
It’s definitely a tribute to the team, in a hard-to-overlook part of Sea-Tac for all to see – visitors to Seattle, as well as those who live here.
“The Seahawks 12 Club is a great branding opportunity to reach a lot of people in the airport as they pass through Seattle and return home,” Seahawks president Peter McLoughlin said. “The airport’s strategy is to have local companies and local franchises featured in the airport, and the Seattle Seahawks fairly qualify there.
“It really is a quality-looking restaurant and club and it really promotes the Seahawks’ brand beautifully. I think it’s going to be nice for the customers here and a nice recognition for Seattle and the Seahawks.”
If the 12 Club has the feel that someone knew what they were doing, credit Ryan Adkins – the project manager for Hawk Building, which is owned by former Seahawks QB Sam Adkins. Ryan is Sam’s son, so he grew up around the team. McLoughlin also singled out Bill Chapin, the vice president of business development for Sounders FC, and Luke Grothkopp, an account executive in corporate partnerships, for their work in coordinating the effort and adding special touches like the timeline.
But the cornerstone is that bronze statue of No. 71, which was sculpted by LH Companies. People already were snapping pictures of it as the grand opening was taking place.
“It’s cool,” Jones said. “You go around to a lot of the airports and you see a lot of athletes being honored. So for me to be honored here in Seattle, it’s a great feeling.”
And the form displayed in the statue would make all of Jones’ former line coaches proud.
“That’s pretty balanced,” he said, examining the knee bend and foot placement of the statue. “That’s pretty good.”
And Jones isn’t done just yet. There’s still his date with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and his induction into the team’s Ring of Honor.
“I guess this is one of many more unveilings,” he said.
Until then, the statue in front of the Club 12 will do nicely.
“I never envisioned something like this,” said Jones, a first-round draft choice in 1997. “When you come in, you just want to prove yourself and prove that you belong. So you just come out every day and try to improve and get better.”
Take it from a guy whose life just keeps getting better now that he’s retired.
