LONDON—You know what's nice? A long evening stroll along the Thames… Even if said walk was unplanned.
Yes, like a London rookie (which in fact I am), I got on the wrong train, leading to a decision of A. get on yet another train—and risk being wrong again—or enjoy a mile-and-a-half walk along the Thames. I chose the latter, and it was rather lovely. And in my defense, there are two different Northern lines on the tube that pick up at the same station, which seems like a bad idea. On the plus side, I'm sure my high school English teachers would be happy to know I saw Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
Anyway, before heading into London Friday evening, it was a normal—or as normal as things can be when this far away—Friday practice for the Seahawks.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said his team seems to be handling the time change well enough, noting, "It seems like we're doing all right. The way everybody's operating, we're doing fine. I think a lot of guys woke up in the middle of the night but it seemed like they managed it okay."
Part of the adjustment period for players was a team event on Thursday evening at a nearby Topgolf location. On Friday, players did have the option of heading into London for a bit, either by bus, or if feeling more adventurous, on the train with players from the Saracens Academy rugby team serving as guides.
"It's obviously a business trip," quarterback Russell Wilson said. "We did have some fun last night, we got to go and play Topgolf so we could see who could hit it and who couldn't. That was fun doing that and being on teams. It's just great team bonding stuff. It's been mostly the work and everything else getting ready for the game."
One highlight after practice was hearing Rob Staton from the BBC go over British slang/naughty words with 710 ESPN Seattle's Dave Wyman and Jessamyn McIntyre. For example, saying something is "bollocks" is generally bad, but describing something as "the dog's bollocks" is good. We were all in agreement that the term "dodgy" needs to make its way into American English, and we also covered some other words that won't be repeated here.
The Seahawks welcomed 12s from everywhere to London's Barrowboy & Banker pub for a Blue Friday rally on October 12, 2018 ahead of the team's Sunday matchup against the Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium.
In London, after that long, unintentional walk, I checked in on the Blue Friday rally at the Barrowboy & Banker, and if the huge line to get in didn't give away how big the Seahawks' following in London has become, then the frequent "Sea-Hawks!" chants inside the bar did the trick.
At dinner, I ordered fish and chips (when in Rome, right?) but unlike what we're used to in the states, this wasn't a few small pieces of fish, but rather one huge filet—it might have been a whole fish, minus the head and tail—fried and served with chips. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, just not what I was expecting.
During a cab ride, Jen Mueller and I learned about "the knowledge," which is the test local cab drivers have to pass to get their license. Our driver explained it's usually a three-year process to get that license, and the test requires them to be able to navigate the city without any maps or GPS devices.
Based off of my first tube experience, it's probably safe to say I'd need more than three years to pass that test.
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive images from the Seahawks' second day in London as the team prepares to take on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Shaquill Griffin eats breakfast with the team on Friday.
Assistant strength coach Mondray Gee (center) counsels running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny on the walk from the team's hotel to the practice field.
Seahawks Caleb Scott and C.J. Prosise walk to the practice field on Friday.
In the team's makeshift locker room, rookies Jacob Martin and Shaquem Griffin joke with veteran Bobby Wagner before practice.
In the training room, Joey Hunt and Brandon Marshall are attended to by C.J. Neumann and Michael Tankovich.
Seahawks D.J. Fluker, Germain Ifedi, Delano Hill, and Rashaad Penny walk to the practice field.
The Seahawks stretch prior to practice.
The Seahawks stretch at the beginning of practice.
Cornerback Justin Coleman listens to instructions from assistant coach Andre Curtis.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks to linebacker Barkevious Mingo as the team stretches before practice.
Quarterback Russell Wilson throws a pass during practice.
Seahawks defensive end Jarran Reed during practice.
Head coach Pete Carroll plays quarterback with members of the practice squad and assistant coaches as they work with the defense during practice.
Offensive tackle Germain Ifedi works during practice.
Receiver Doug Baldwin watches as the special teams practice.
Seahawks mascot "Blitz" greets Seahawks assistant athletic trainer David Stricklin.
Quarterback Russell Wilson shakes hands with fullback Tre Madden at the end of practice.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks to the team at the end of Friday's practice.
Wide receivers break it down at the end of practice.
The wide receivers pose for a group photo after practice on Friday.
Seahawks running back Lavon Coleman breaks down the team at the end of practice.
Defensive end Frank Clark carries his daughter after practice.
General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll walk off the practice field after practice.
Offensive lineman Elijan Nkansah entertains kids at an NFL UK Play 60 event on Friday.
Receiver Malik Turner teaches a young athlete the proper way to throw an American football.
Caleb Scott and Alex McGough celebrate a play by one of the young athletes participating in an NFL UK Play 60 event.
Rasheem Green and Michael Dickson played with kids during a Play 60 camp on Friday.
Shaquem Griffin faces off against a young camper at a Play 60 event.
Tight end Tyrone Swoopes shows his flexibility while playing a hoop game with kids at an NFL UK Play 60 event.
Seahawks rookies Jacob Martin and Shaquem Griffin take selfies with campers at an NFL UK Play 60 event on Friday.
Elijah Nkansah draws up a play in the huddle during a Play 60 event.
Blitz lines up as an offensive lineman during a Play 60 event.
After a full day of meetings and practice, the Seahawks were given the night off. Tyler Lockett jumped into cab teammates David Moore and Jaron Brown for a ride to a nearby train station.
Seahawks David Moore, Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown study a train schedule as they make their way into London.
Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown await the arrival of the high-speed train that would take them into London.
As the high-speed train makes its way into London, Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown and David Moore pass the time.
Seahawks receivers Jaron Brown and David Moore navigate the British train system for an evening in London.
Jaron Brown takes in the sights and sounds of downtown London.
Nick Vannett, Quinton Jefferson and Tyler Lockett take in the scene in West London on Friday night.
Tyler Lockett and David Moore head towards the famous "London Eye", a giant ferris wheel on the banks of the River Thames.
Jaron Brown and Tyler Lockett sightsee in London on Friday evening.
Seahawks receiver David Moore uses his mobile device to photograph the "London Eye", a giant ferris wheel.
After meeting up with other teammates, a group of Seahawks including Jaron Brown, Keenan Reynolds, Quinton Jefferson and David Moore headed back to the team hotel after dinner in London and some sightseeing.
