La La Land: Week 7 Seahawks Connections to Los Angeles

It's a homecoming or reunion for several Seahawks players and staff as the team heads to Los Angeles. Let’s take a look at some of the players and staff with ties to the California area in advance of the Week 7 matchup against the Chargers. Uchenna Nwosu: Carson’s Finest Week 7’s road trip to L.A. isn’t just Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu playing against his former team, but a trip to a place he’s called home forever. The Carson native grew up 20 minutes away from what is now known as SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The USC alum can take the 405 or 110 to get back to his old stomping grounds. Nwosu spent his first-four seasons with the Chargers in his hometown before signing with Seattle this offseason.From charitable works in his community, to representing the Seahawks and his native country Nigeria as part of NFL Africa, Nwosu’s journey comes full-circle this weekend. With three sacks, Nwosu is already approaching his career high of five as Seattle’s defense gets going right on time. A sack against his former team in his hometown wouldn’t be too much to hope for. From the Bay to L.A. Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll is the pride of Larkspur, a bay area kid whose career has taken him from the University of Pacific to the pinnacle of both college football and the NFL. In a football coaching career spanning over five decades, Carroll’s path led him to his previous domain, the University of Southern California.One of college football’s most-decorated coaches of the century, Carroll led the Trojans to two national championships, four Rose Bowl championships and two Orange Bowl rings in a decade. Seahawks second-year tackle Jake Curhan also hails from Larkspur, graduating from Carroll’s alma mater Redwood High before starting 40 games for the California (University of California, Berkeley) Golden Bears. Colby from San Ramon Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson grew up in San Ramon, a bus ride away from San Francisco. Parkinson spent his college days at Stanford, appearing in 14 games and catching four touchdowns as a freshman. The 2019 Second Team All-Pac 12 selection forewent his senior year, and was selected by Seattle in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. The new-and-improved Parkinson is off to a strong start with eight receptions for 126 yards, catching his first-career touchdown in Week 1.Sidney Jones IV: West Covina Royalty Cornerback Sidney Jones IV won Super Bowl LII as part of the Philadelphia Eagles, bringing a ring home to L.A. County. The Diamond Bar native starred for West Covina High at nearly every skill position, playing both sides of the ball. An initial Utah commit, Jones IV would go on to build his legacy as a Washington Husky and two-time First Team All-Pac-12 selection. California Love Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny was placed on the IR due to broken fibula and will not play in Week 7, but the Norwalk native has covered plenty of state ground in his time. The San Diego State alum was named the 2017 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and was a three-time consecutive First Team All-MWC selection. Practice squad tackle Jalen McKenzie made his way from Concord to USC, appearing in 42 games and earning a NFLPA Collegiate Bowl invite. Coaching Connections Assistant defensive backs coach DeShawn Shead is a Super Bowl XLVIII champion and member of the legendary Legion of Boom secondary. The Palmdale native was a multi-sport athlete at Highland High, where he still holds the pole vault record.Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales preceded Uchenna Nwosu at Carson High, where he played both ways as a wideout and cornerback. The Azusa Pacific alum and Harbor City native was Coach Carroll’s assistant strength coach in 2009 before coming to Seattle.

La La Land: Week 7 Seahawks Connections to Los Angeles

Several players and coaches have ties to Los Angeles and the state of California, where the Seahawks will play on Sunday.