Beginning in August, the NFL will make the full network broadcast of 96 games—three per team—available on YouTube. And to decide which games will go on YouTube, the NFL let fans vote, via Facebook, for their top choices.
It a not-at-all-surprising development, the top choice among Seahawks fans was Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII victory over the Denver Broncos, which earned 30 percent of the vote. Next were Seattle's two recent NFC championship game victories over the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, which each earned 26 percent of the vote. The other two voting options were Seattle's 1983 AFC divisional-round victory over the Miami Dolphins, and the 2010 wild-card win against New Orleans, a game that featured Marshawn Lynch's famous "Beastquake" run.
Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8
In a showdown between the league's No. 1 defense and a record-setting Broncos offense, the Legion of Boom set the tone early and never let up as the Seahawks routed Denver on the way to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
"We did exactly what we said we were going to do," safety Kam Chancellor said after the game. "... We finished business."
The Seahawks forced four turnovers, including a Malcom Smith interception he returned for a touchdown, Russell Wilson carved up Denver's defense, and the Seahawks also scored on special teams. It was one of the most complete efforts of the season for the best team in franchise history, and it came on the biggest stage in American sports.
"That's it," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after the game. "That's exactly how we try to play… I'm thrilled that it came out like that so clearly and so obviously that that's the way we can play ball to win a championship."
2014 NFC Championship Game: Seahawks 28, Packers 22 (overtime)
The Seahawks' second straight NFC championship game appearance couldn't have gotten off to much worse of a start. The Seahawks turned the ball over five times, including four Wilson interceptions, they trailed 16-0 at halftime, and by all accounts their repeat hopes appeared to be dying at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.
But late in the second half, the Seahawks came storming back thanks to the combination of a Jon Ryan touchdown pass, some memorable Marshawn Lynch runs, Russell Wilson's magic and some good onside kick fortune. By the time the dust had settled, Wilson connected with Jermaine Kearse—the target on all four interceptions—for the game-winning touchdown, Mike Bennett borrowed a cop's bike for a victory lap, and the Seahawks were heading back to the Super Bowl.
"That's the best game I've ever been in for sure," Wilson said after the game. "I think that may be one of the best games in NFL history. Just to be able to come back in the playoffs like that and in overtime; I can't see a much better game than that."
"It's kind of a microcosm of our whole season," added cornerback Richard Sherman. "It always seems like we're down and out and everything done, we're all out, there's no way to turn it around, then we find a way to turn it around."
2013 NFC Championship Game: Seahawks 23, 49ers 17
For the Seahawks to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in 10 years, they first had to go through their NFC West rivals, and the defending NFC champs, the San Francisco 49ers. A game billed as a showdown of two of the league's best and most physical teams lived up to the billing.
In a second half full of big plays and lead changes, Colin Kaepernick completed a spectacular jump-throw touchdown that somehow eluded a leaping Earl Thomas; Doug Baldwin, who had 106 receiving yards in the game, answered with a 69-yard kickoff return; then on their next possession, the Seahawks took the lead for good when Wilson hit Kearse for a 35-yard touchdown on fourth-and-7. Oh yeah, and Sherman made a pretty memorable play at the end of the game on a pass in the end zone intended for Michael Crabtree.
"We believed," defensive end Michael Bennett said after the game. "We never thought we weren't going to win. That's what made us a great team today."
February 2, 2014 will be a day that will live in Seattle history forever as the day the Seahawks won the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy.
It's 9:45am on Super Bowl Sunday and head coach Pete Carroll eats breakfast with assistant coach Tom Cable. A nearby television has already started its game day coverage, but most players and coaches pay it no mind as they go about their business.
It's now 11am and defensive backs coach Kris Richard gathers the Legion of Boom in a meeting room for their final instructions. His message is simple -- "Today, just be you." He tells them they don't need a walk-thru, that they are ready to go. After a quick huddle, the players go their separate ways for a few hours before the pre game meal.
The team's pre game meal was served beginning at 1:30pm, and Golden Tate, dressed for success including his Google Glass, prepares his plate.
Richard Sherman leaves the team's meal room and heads towards the awaiting buses for the big day.
Walking alone along a back corridor of the hotel, safety Earl Thomas flashes the "Legion of Boom" sign as he makes his way to the bus.
First on the bus, Earl Thomas jus alone with his thoughts as he prepares for the biggest game of his life.
The bus is mostly silent for the trip from Jersey City to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Michael Robinson, sits near the front, with Steven Hauschka behind him.
Upon arrival at MetLife Stadium, Richard Sherman takes a moment to shake hands with and thank their bus driver for the week's work.
These customized cleats were waiting in Marshawn Lynch's locker at MetLIfe Stadium.
This what the locker room looks with about 30 minutes left before kickoff. A member of the equipment staff pumps air into Percy Harvin's helmet as Ricardo Lockette stretches and Tarvaris Jackson and Golden Tate sit at their lockers.
"WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK? I GOT YOUR BACK!" Richard Sherman leads the Legion of Boom in their now-traditional pregame circle prior to taking the field for warmups.
A very relaxed Bruce Irvin smiles as full team warmups near their conclusion and the Seahawks prepare to return to their locker room.
Long snapper Clint Gresham, holder Jon Ryan and kicker Steven Hauschka make one final practice field goal before heading to the locker room.
In the moments leading up to kickoff, fullback Michael Robinson sits in silence at his locker. For the veteran fullback, the Super Bowl capped a year in which he was released by the the team after suffering a lingering illness, only to recover and be re-signed late in the season.
Special teams captain Heath Farwell carries the 12 flag as the Seahawks enter the holding tunnel before being introduced as the NFC representatives to Super Bowl XLVIII.
Cornerback Richard Sherman focuses while sitting on the sidelines during the extended pregame ceremonies of the Super Bowl.
Quarterback Russell Wilson gathers his thoughts during the national anthem as a network television camera rests just inches from his face.
Seahawks captains Red Bryant, Russell Wilson and Heath Farwell smile as "Broadway Joe" Namath prepares to flip the coin prior to kickoff.
It didn't take long. On the first play from scrimmage, Denver misfires on the snap and the ball careens towards the end zone for a safety, giving Seattle an early 2-0 lead. After the play, the clock showed that exactly 12 seconds of the game had elapsed.
Linebacker Cliff Avril celebrates the safety and yells into the stands that are packed with Seahawks fans.
Seattle's number-one ranked defense lived up to their advanced billing from the start, with Chris Clemons (91), Bobby Wagner (54) and Cliff Avril dumping Denver's Knowshon Moreno during the first quarter.
On the very next play, safety Kam Chancellor delivered this punishing blow to Denver's Demaryius Thomas on a crossing route, knocking the Broncos receiver back nearly five yards.
Safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman are fired up after Kam Chancellor's big hit on Denver's Demaryius Thomas.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin found himself open deep along the left sideline and beat Denver's Champ Bailey for a 37-yard pass reception from Russell Wilson.
On the same drive, Seattle's Jermaine Kearse nearly hauled in a touchdown pass over Denver linebacker Nate Irving, who managed to knock the ball away at the last second.
At the end of the play, Jermaine Kearse fell into the crowd of photographers on the end line, and inadvertently kicked Seahawks digital media staffer Brian Pan in the face. Pan escaped serious injury and remained in the game.
Denver quarterback Peyton Manning turns to yell instructions to teammates in the first half. After the game, the Broncos admitted to being surprised by the amount of crowd noise generated by Seahawks fans.
Strong safety Kam Chancellor swallows up Denver receiver Wes Welker, as free safety Earl Thomas lurks.
Chris Clemons caused this fumble by Denver's Knowshon Moreno which was recovered by the Broncos. However, on the very next play the Seahawks manufactured a turnover when Kam Chancellor intercepted a Peyton Manning pass.
With pressure from the backside from Seattle's Cliff Avril, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning's pass sails past his intended receiver and the ball was intercepted by Seattle's Kam Chancellor
Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor emerges with the ball after intercepting a pass from Denver's Peyton Manning in first quarter.
Seattle's Marshawn Lynch tries the right side in the second quarter and would score a touchdown later in the drive, giving the Seahawks a 15-0 lead.
Seattle's K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner help Byron Maxwell finish off a tackle on Denver's Demaryius Thomas in the second quarter as the hits just kept on coming.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith keeps an eye on Denver quarterback Peyton Manning at the line of scrimmage.
Seattle's Cliff Avril reaches out and hits the arm of Denver quarterback Peyton Manning as the ball is released.
Manning's pass falls short of its intended target and is intercepted by Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith.
Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith is off to the races with a "pick six" interception return for a touchdown in front of the Denver bench, giving Seattle a 22-0 lead before halftime.
Seattle's Byron Maxwell, slams down Denver's Demaryius Thomas after a short reception on the left sideline, and the Seahawks held the Broncos scoreless headed into halftime.
Running back Marshawn Lynch kept himself loose during the extended halftime by dancing to his music.
Meanwhile, out on the field, the halftime extravaganza was in full effect as Bruno Mars and his band lit up the crowd at MetLife Stadium.
Inside the Seahawks locker room, coaches and players met, stressing the need to not let up despite a 22-0 lead. Travis Jones met with the defensive linemen as head coach Pete Carroll watched over his shoulder.
Head coach Pete Carroll and safety Earl Thomas walk down the tunnel from the locker room back to the field after the long halftime intermission.
If fans were worried about the Seahawks keeping their momentum after halftime, it only took them 12 seconds (there's that number again) to score as Percy Harvin returned the kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to extend Seattle's lead to 30-0.
Stand and deliver. Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman stands up Denver's Eric Decker as Kam Chancellor zeroes in for a big hit in the third quarter.
Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse leaves two Denver defenders in the dust as he breaks four tackles in one play en route to a 23-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Receiver Jermaine Kearse celebrates with teammates Zach Miller, Derrick Coleman, Paul McQuistan and Russell Wilson after his touchdown reception in the third quarter gave Seattle a 36-0 lead.
Head coach Pete Carroll is all smiles after Kearse's touchdown padded Seattle's lead to 36-0.
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who bristled at the description of Seahawks receivers as "average" and "pedestrian", dives into the end zone with Seattle's final touchdown of Super Bowl XLVIII
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin is congratulated by teammates Russell Okung and Russell Wilson after his touchdown capped the scoring, making it 43-8.
Ricardo Lockette, celebrates a tackle on special teams. Lockette, who was on the San Francisco 49ers roster earlier in the season, returned to Seattle where he became a stalwart in the gunner position. He also had a 19-yard pass reception in the game.
As the final minutes ticked down and with the outcome never in doubt, head coach Pete Carroll lets out a yell on the sidelines.
Pete Carroll congratulates defensive players Clinton McDonald and K.J. Wright.
Pete Carroll hugs general manager John Schneider during the two-minute warning.
Head coach Pete Carroll gets the first drops of the traditional Gatorade bath courtesy of Zach Miller and Russell Wilson at the end of the game.
There's a head coach in there somewhere as Zach Miller and Russell Wilson drench Pete Carroll in Gatorade.
The sign said "REPLAY" And as if one bath wasn't enough, moments later Pete Carroll was doused once again as defensive back Akeem Auguste leaps out of the way.
Seahawks owner Paul Allen raises the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in team history after watching his team demolish the Denver Broncos, 43-8 in the Super Bowl.
Head coach Pete Carroll holds the Lombardi Trophy along with team president Peter McLoughlin, owner Paul Allen and Bert Kolde on the victory platform.
Quarterback Russell Wilson gets his turn to holds\ the Lombardi Trophy amid the falling blue and green confetti.
Head coach Pete Carroll and his wife Glena wave to Seahawks fans as they make their way off the field after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll leads the cheers inside the Seahawks locker room after the Seahawks won their first Super Bowl ever, a 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos.
After finally getting the chance to gather the team, head coach Pete Carroll gave his players his postgame talk, then asked them to hold the Lombardi Trophy aloft one more time.
At the Seahawks postgame party, owner Paul Allen and his band "the Underthinkers" rocked the house with their brand of blues-based rock and roll.
What victory party would be complete without an appearance by friend of the Seahawks and best-selling Seattle-based rapper Macklemore?
Never mind that it was after 3am, two guys with energy to spare -- Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Seattle-based rapper Macklemore bounce on stage to the Seahawks unofficial anthem "Can't Hold Us" during the team's postgame party.
Macklemore closed out his set at the Seahawks postgame party doing his thing, lifted by the crowd, and his lyrics were never more true:
"Tonight is the night, weÕll fight 'til itÕs over, so we put our hands up like the ceiling canÕt hold us, like the ceiling canÕt hold us."
