On Sunday, and for the rest of this season, the 35 on the back of Joey Blount's jersey won't be the most significant number worn by the rookie safety.
Instead, it will be the 1, 15, 41 on his cleats that will mean the most to Blount, the numbers of his three former teammates at the University of Virginia, Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D'Sean Perry, who were killed in a shooting last month.
Blount wore the cleats during last week's game against the Raiders, playing only hours after flying back from Miami where he attended Perry's funeral, having missed Friday's practice with Pete Carroll's blessing. Blount will wear them again Sunday against the Rams as the Seahawks take part in the league's My Cause My Cleats Initiative, and he plans to continue wearing them to keep alive the memory of his three friends whose lives were cut short before they could potentially realize their NFL dreams.
"I think about them every day," Blount said. "In the game of football, there are a lot of whys that will motivate you to play—family, friends, goals—but for me my purpose got a lot bigger, because those three young men, their dreams were to be where I'm at and they couldn't get there, so I want to make sure that their fires and flames never burn out."
Having flown from Miami to Seattle Saturday evening, arriving after midnight, Blount was told by his head coach that the team would be OK with whatever he needed to take care of himself, including not playing in the game, but despite being physically and emotionally drained, he felt the best thing for him and to honor his friends would be to suit up and play.
Prior to kickoff, Blount led the team out of the tunnel carrying the 12 flag, and on that sprint to midfield, and every other play during Sunday's game, his thoughts were with Chandler, Davis and Perry.
"It was not just physically but emotionally hard because every time I stepped on the field, I would just talk to them in my head just say a little word, like 'This play is for you,'" Blount said. "I've got to always remind myself even when I'm tired that this rep is not just for me, but it's for other people that were proud of me that wished they could be in my shoes that I'm playing for. So it was a really emotional game for me. Physically I was tired—it was a lot of traveling and I was just worn out from all the emotions and crying that I did, but it was a statement game… It was an emotional game to say the least."
"Just Like A Little Brother"
While Blount, who signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted rookie this spring, was close with all three victims of last month's shooting, his bond with Perry was particularly close. Blount first started getting word of a shooting on campus as the team arrived back in Seattle after the 10-hour flight home from Munich, then learned more details on the bus ride to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
"I was a mess," he said of the immediate aftermath of learning the news.
Blount went home to Atlanta to spend time with family during the bye week, then returned to the Seahawks and practiced Tuesday and Wednesday last week before leaving on Thanksgiving to fly to Miami for Perry's funeral.
"It's definitely a sad time," he said. "It was very hard on me personally, I had a connection with those three guys being a year removed from the team and just all three of them were like my younger brothers so it was definitely hard. It was a hard month, but luckily the (Seahawks) and everyone has been really, really supportive in letting me lean on them definitely during an emotional time."
When Perry arrived at Virginia, Blount quickly took to the young linebacker, who was high school teammates with Blount's roommate, Mandy Alonso.
"We became close, I ended up taking him under my wing and I shared some of the greatest memories with him individually," Blount said.
At the viewing for Perry, Blount offered his condolences to Perry's parents, but because his and Perry's friendship was formed away from home at college, he didn't know how much they would even know about him. It was a moving moment for Blount when a conversation with Perry's father confirmed that he had made an impact on his young teammate just as Perry had in his life.
"I didn't really know if they remembered me, because I was the high school friend's roommate," Blount said. "… But (Perry's father) told me is something that really just stuck with me to this day—that his son spoke highly of me and valued my friendship with him, and the same way I viewed him, he viewed me back, and that it was real love. As a man he thanked me for taking care of his son and always being there for him. For me to hear that from his dad made that trip all worth it. Flying across the country, that was so worth it just to know that my love for him was reciprocated and that he shared that with his parents and told someone else about how special our relationship was, because I spoke highly of him to everyone else. All three of them I had special relationships with, but D'Shawn in particular, he was definitely under my wing for sure. We'd take him out to eat, me and my roommate would drive him and his roommate around, just like a little brother who I ended up looking up to."
Seahawks players, dancers, and staff will wear custom designed cleats and shoes supporting causes they feel passionate about during Week 13 at the Los Angeles Rams on December 4, 2022.
Al Woods - Young Women Empowered
Young Women Empowered cultivates the power of diverse young women* to be creative leaders and courageous changemakers through transformative programs within a collaborative community of belonging.
Artie Burns - Dream Defenders Miami
Dream Defenders practices transformative justice, an abolitionist way of dealing with conflict and holding people accountable in opposition to the punitive nature of the prison system that treats people as disposable, locks them up and throws away the key.
Nick Bellore - David Warsen Legacy Foundation
Honors the "Amazing Life" Of David Warsen.
"Please join us in honoring david's legacy here in this world...let no one forget that "Dave was here!!!" Challenging each one of us to embrace this journey on earth, with acts of love and kindness."
Austin Blythe - TaterTough Foundation
The TaterTough Foundation brings awareness to diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) which is a brain tumor that is highly aggressive and difficult to treat. Tate Schaefer nicknamed Tater sadly passed away from DPIG, but his legacy and the TaterTough way of life lives on through so many and none more than Seahawks Center Austin Blythe. Austin built a lasting and inspiring relationship with Tate while playing at Iowa in college. The TaterTough Foundation run by Tate's family continues to fight for others impacted by DIPG and bring awareness and continued research to the cause. #TaterTough
Coby Bryant - Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence
The Coalition monitors current developments at the national and state levels, and provides statewide education on non-violence and safety for children and families. The Coalition works with other organizations and individuals to facilitate data collection and community solutions and to support public health recognition of the gun violence problem. Coby is honoring one of his friends who died from gun violence on the cleats
Cody Barton - Yellow For Life
Yellow For Life is a suicide prevention and awareness group that focuses on connecting people with resources and strengthening and educating communities.
L.J. Collier - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Our mission is to take bold action to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer by advancing scientific research, building community, sharing knowledge and advocating for patients.
Charles Cross – NAMI – Mississippi
NAMI Mississippi, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a non-profit, advocacy organization. NAMI groups at the local affiliate, state, and national levels share one common goal: To improve the quality of life of persons living with serious mental illness along with their friends and families.
Jake Curhan - Intercept Poverty
To intercept poverty on college campuses by helping low income students overcome financial roadblocks.
DeeJay Dallas - Justice for Black Girls & War Party Movement
The mission of Justice for Black Girls is to expand global knowledge of how US-based systems of power respond to and perpetuate the abuse of Black girls in schools, in prisons and in protest + The mission of War Party Movement is to protect the most vulnerable in every nation from sex trafficking, mutilation, human sacrifice, abuse and violence. Both internationally and domestically, millions of men, women and children are kidnapped, sold into slavery, or experience crushing levels of deprivation every year.
Darryl Johnson - Allen Family Center
Mercy Housing is redefining affordable, low-income housing. We're a national nonprofit organization that is working to build a more humane world where communities are healthy and all people can develop their full potential.
Will Dissly - Animal Support
Founded in 1897, Seattle Humane proudly promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need. We are one of the region's leaders in animal adoption, education and welfare.
Dee Eskridge – GREENPEACE
Greenpeace is a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
Kyle Fuller - NAMI – Texas
NAMI Texas is dedicated to improving the quality of life of all individuals living with mental illness and their families.
Geno Smith - 7 Sunday Heroes
Geno's charitable foundation dedicated to empowering the heroes in the local communities.
Phil Haynes - Treehouse
We envision–and strive to create–a world where every child that has experienced foster care has the opportunities and support they need to pursue their dreams and launch successfully into adulthood.
Kenneth Walker - Le Bonheur Children's Hospital Foundation & Honoring Devin Chandler
One cleat: As Le Bonheur grew over the years, it became apparent that a significant need existed for the hospital to raise funds in support of the dramatic growth of its many medical care programs, research and advocacy efforts. Furthermore, it is our firm belief that every child deserves nothing less than the very best in medical care, regardless of a family's financial situation. One cleat: honoring former teammate and friend Devin Chandler who was one of the 3 UVA football players that were recently murdered.
Drew Lock - American Diabetes Association
To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
Mike Jackson - The Race Foundation
The R.A.C.E. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established on the principles to equip, encourage, and empower people living with economic and financial hardships.
Tanner Muse - Seattle Humane
Founded in 1897, Seattle Humane proudly promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need. We are one of the region's leaders in animal adoption, education and welfare.
Myles Adams - Community Passegeways
We create alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults by rebuilding our communities through committed relationships centered on love, compassion, and consistency.
Ryan Neal - NAMI - Indiana
NAMI Indiana is the state organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We are a grassroots public charity helping people living with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends. We support local NAMI Affiliates, train volunteer leaders, provide continuing education for professionals, and partner for systems change at the state level.
Penny Hart - SafeHouse Outreach
SafeHouse Outreach's mission is to help restore lives experiencing extreme poverty to independent living through faith, love, and compassionate service
Poona Ford - Play Like a Girl & National Breast Cancer Foundation
Play Like a Girl!® is a 501(c)3 charitable organization on a mission to level the playing field by leveraging the skills girls gain from sport to propel young women into competitive, male-dominated careers in STEM+. & NBCF's mission is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.
Shelby Harris - FPIES Foundation
The FPIES Foundation is an Incorporated 501(c)3 Non-profit foundation dedicated to overcoming the challenges of FPIES by offering tools for education, support, and advocacy to empower families and the medical community.
David Stricklin - NATA Foundation & K9s for Warriors
K9s For Warriors serves our veterans as honorably as they served their country. Our lifelong program is provided to Warriors at no cost and is designed to deliver maximum benefit with minimum administrative costs. + The NATA Research and Education Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). The Foundation champions research, supports education, and enhances knowledge to optimize the clinical experience and outcomes within the diverse patient populations served by the athletic training profession.
Tariq Woolen - Center for Transforming Lives (Inside)
Center for transforming lives works side-by-side with women and their children to disrupt the cycle of poverty throughout tarrant county. Our services are two-generational and establish long-term financial and emotional well-being.
Tariq Woolen - Center for Transforming Lives (Outside)
Center for transforming lives works side-by-side with women and their children to disrupt the cycle of poverty throughout tarrant county. Our services are two-generational and establish long-term financial and emotional well-being.
Uchenna Nwosu - Boys and Girls Club of King County (Cleat 1)
To inspire & enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
Uchenna Nwosu - Boys and Girls Club of King County (Cleat 2)
To inspire & enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
Pete Carroll - Teaching for Black Lives
The Teaching for Black Lives campaign of the Zinn Education Project (coordinated by Rethinking Schools and Teaching for Change) supports teachers with free lessons for teaching about racism and anti-racist struggles, distribution to school districts of the book Teaching for Black Lives, teacher study groups, a podcast, online classes for teachers, and more.
John Schneider - Ben's Fund
Ben's Fund was founded in 2012 by Seahawks General Manager/EVP John Schneider and wife Traci. The fund was established in honor of their son Ben, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. The intent of Ben's Fund is to provide financial support to children and young adults with autism in Washington State along with guidance and support as they continue their journey.
Chuck Arnold - American Cancer Society – ACS
While most people know us for our research, we do so much more. We work to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. We advocate for lifesaving policy changes. We promote healthy lifestyles to help you prevent cancer. We research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments.
Blitz - KICKS4KIDS
Kicks 4 Kids is a charitable program started by the one and only best mascot in the NFL, Blitz together with the Seahawks Women's Association! All net proceeds will go directly to organizations and communities in the Seattle/Tacoma area and across the country to support kids and families in need. This year Blitz will rally his friends and family of 12s near and far to help reach his goal of donating 5,000 pairs of shoes.
Walter Jones - Seattle Childrens
On his shoes, Big Walt features the Seattle Children's logo, with a nod to his friend's kid, Sienna. A young kid who is fighting Leukemia at Seattle Children's. And finally, two Candy Corns uniting to cheer all children at Seattle Children's on their journey. An avid Candy Corn critic, Big Walt takes one for the team and asked for the Candy Corn caricature to be wearing a Seahawks Logo, in hopes of uniting people in a fight that's bigger than flavor.
Seahawks Dancers - Broadview Domestic Violence Shelter
Broadview Shelter and Transitional Housing is a safe haven at a secure location for parents and their kids experiencing domestic violence (DV) and homelessness.
Shane Waldron - Angelman Syndrome Foundation
The mission of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation is to advance the awareness and treatment of Angelman syndrome through education and information, research, and support for individuals with Angelman syndrome, their families and other concerned parties.
