Prior to moving nearly 2,000 miles from Seattle, Washington to Davenport, Derek Klier didn't know if he would ever meet a Seahawk fan in the middle of the Midwest. Until he met fellow Seattlians at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
"It's been a great group to watch the games with," said Klier.
Since midway through the 2013-2014 season, the group of students – all of which are from the Seattle area – have made it a tradition to meet at the Barrel House in Davenport every Sunday.
They refer to themselves as “the 12th man.”
“We’re diehard fans,” said Kylee McDarvie.
Every Sunday, when you walk inside the Barrel House you will be greeted by a sea of blue and green. From their heads to their toes, they are covered in Seahawks gear.
And tradition is important for these fans.
“We have to sit in the same places when we are watching the game and eat the same food,” McDarvie said. He wears a Seahawks flag on his back like a superhero while shouting after every play to support his team.
And even when the Seahawks kick a field goal, they have a ritual.
“We have to say Hauschka in a very subtle way before he kicks a field goal,” said Klier.
They have even grown their fan base.
“We have gladly turned this into a Seattle bar, at least every Sunday,” Klier said with a smile.
As Super Bowl XLVIII comes to a close, the Seattle Seahawks claim their first Super Bowl Championship. More importantly, this Seahawks season has created a friendship among a group that will live forever, something Derek Klier says means more than a Super Bowl win.
“It’s definitely created a good friendship and it’s something that we will always have and we found in Davenport, Iowa.”