Patti Hammond

Lore & Background

Patti Hammond purchased Seattle Seahawks season tickets as a birthday gift for her husband Dick Hammond, despite knowing little about football at the time. She and her husband became season ticket holders from the team's inaugural season in 1976. Hammond was known for her blue wig, feather boa, and other Seahawks-themed apparel. She served as president of the Seahawks fan club, "The Seahawkers."

Hammond was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 as a fan. She was later selected to be the first fan to raise the 12th man flag for the Seahawks. Her visibility led to television interviews, Halloween tributes, an appearance on The Roseanne Show, a toy figurine, and her own trading card. She also participated in the Seattle Seahawks' Guinness World Record for largest crowd roar.

Seahawks safety Kenny Easley mentioned Hammond in his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech in 2017. She was named the Seattle Seahawks Fan of the Year in 2020 and the Seattle Met Best champion of Seattle Sports in 2021. Following her death on March 4, 2023, Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll expressed condolences via Twitter, and the Seahawks released a video on her life on their Twitter account.

Reader's Guide

Patti Hammond's significance lies in her recognition as one of the first fans inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, elevating the role of the superfan in professional sports. Her persona as Mama Blue, with her distinctive blue wig and feather boa, became an iconic symbol of Seahawks fandom. She helped define the passionate fan culture of Seattle, particularly through her leadership of the Seahawkers fan club and her participation in the record-setting crowd roar. Her legacy includes being the first fan to raise the 12th man flag, a tradition that honors the team's supporters. Hammond's impact extended beyond the stadium: she inspired Halloween costumes, appeared on national television, and was memorialized in a toy figurine and trading card. Her mention in Kenny Easley's Hall of Fame speech and the tributes from Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll underscore her respected place within the Seahawks organization. By being named Fan of the Year and champion of Seattle Sports, she exemplified the dedication that defines the Seahawks' fan base. Her death prompted widespread acknowledgment of her contributions to the team's identity and community.

Did You Know?

• She was the first fan selected to raise the 12th man flag for the Seattle Seahawks.
• Hammond had her own toy figurine and trading card.