The “Hawk of Steel” was among the most unique Sea Hawkers at Saturday’s rally at Deception Pass.
Lonny Carsten arrived with a 5-pound, steel Seahawks logo in the shape of a Superman symbol suspended around his neck.
To complete his outfit, a Seahawks flag rippled in the wind behind him.
“That’s why I had to wear a cape,” said Carsten, who received the emblem as a Christmas gift. “I put it on and said, ‘Now I need to wear a cape.’ ”
If anyone thought his outfit over-the-top, Carsten said they could “deal with it.”
“It would only be a 49ers fan who would say that anyway.”
The lifelong Seahawks fan was one of approximately 100 people who attended the Whidbey Island Sea Hawkers Booster Club rally Saturday.
Attendees, wearing bright green and blue, waved flags and signs at drivers crossing the bridge. In return, motorists honked and waved their support.
The Seahawks’ Super Bowl win last year was “awesome,” Carsten said, but it wasn’t a surprise.
“They were the best team in the NFL and they are this year too,” Carsten said.
Originally from England, Louise Warwick became a fan of the Seahawks when she moved to Washington with her Navy husband, Charlie, in 2006.
A longtime rugby fan, Warwick said her transition to football was natural, especially since her husband, a Washington native, has been a fan his entire life.
“The rules are similar, but I’m still learning the rules of American football,” said Warwick at Saturday’s rally.
Warwick said her support for the Seahawks transcends their ability to play football.
“I love what they stand for both on and off the field,” Warwick said.
A second Super Bowl win would be “absolutely amazing,” she said. “It would be great recognition for an amazing team.”
Now in its second year, the rally included added support from Sea Hawkers who drove from Bellingham and Skagit County.
Nicole Baughn, of Bellingham, drove to the event with her son, Levi, 4.
Her family became football fans when her oldest sons started to play football.
“It kind of took on a life of its own,” Baughn said.
Levi said his favorite player is Russell Wilson because “he’s just the best at playing.”
Rally organizer Michelle Curry said a larger number of people traveled from off island to participate in this year’s rally.
“We have a very unique opportunity with Deception Pass, and others want to join in the fun,” Curry said. “With support from our fellow clubs in Bellingham and Skagit we all had a great time getting passing cars to honk and show support.
“Go Hawks!”
If the Seahawks win this coming Sunday, clearing the path to the Feb. 1 Super Bowl, Whidbey Island Sea Hawkers Booster Club will hold a final rally Jan. 24 aboard a Clinton ferry.
