One of Steve Largent's biggest fans happens to look sort of like Steve Largent – enough so that he was recently mistaken for the legendary Seahawks wide receiver by Ricardo Lockette while standing on the turf at CenturyLink Field.
"He goes, 'Hey Steve … oh, you're not Steve,'" recalled Not Steve Largent, a.k.a. lifelong Seahawks fan Christopher Gough of Redmond. Lockette shook his hand and introduced himself. A few feet away, Russell Wilson greeted teammates with handshakes as they ran out of the stadium tunnel.
Gough, 40, stood on the 50-yard-line in his Steve Largent jersey, absorbing every detail of a story he will "tell everybody for the rest of my life."
Welcome to the Pregame Intros Experience, one of a series of unique fan packages offered by the Seahawks at home games this season. Seahawks Gameday Experiences are available for purchase on the Seahawks mobile app and include opportunities to stand midfield during player intros, attempt field goals (important disclaimer: not during the game) and attend Pete Carroll's postgame press conference.
"I've been a Season Ticket Holder for seven years, and I've always wanted to be on the field," said Gough, who never misses a home game from his seats in section 131, just under the overhang and close enough to feel the heat from the burners outside the Seahawks tunnel. He's been watching the Seahawks since he was 10 years old and grew up idolizing Largent: "He's one of my heroes. He's been my gridiron idol for a long time."
For the Seahawks' home opener on Sept. 27, Gough treated himself and his girlfriend to several gameday experiences, including sideline passes. As luck would have it, Largent was in attendance at that game, where he was honored alongside other Seahawks legends during halftime. Standing on the sidelines during pregame warmups, Gough felt a tap on his shoulder.
"I turn around, and it's Steve Largent," he said. "And then Dave Krieg walks by. We turn right back around and there's Jordan Babineaux. There's Mack Strong. Every time we turn around, there's another Seahawk. It was pretty incredible."
There's no guarantee that fans will meet players as part of their experience, but Gough and his girlfriend, Jessica Christensen, were able to pose for pictures with former players as well as Taima the Hawk. After the game, two friends joined the couple for more photos on the field – where they huddled and smiled around the hawkhead logo – and Gough was presented with an official NFL football.
Gough, who described the experience as "kind of like winning the lottery," said the events of the day still haven't quite sunk in.
"It was like a kid's dream. I felt like I was 10 years old," he said. "It will be a story I will tell everybody for the rest of my life."
Christopher Gough took his Sunday to the next level with Seahawks Gameday Experiences, unique opportunities available for purchase inside the Seahawks mobile app each and every home game.
Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers
