The Associated Press
Shawn Springs (left) and Shaun Alexander show off the Seahawks' new home and road uniforms Wednesday. The team is also sponsoring a contest to let fans decide which helmet the Seahawks will wear this season.

Hawks unveil new uniforms

Seattle undergoes makeover with different color schemes, helmets

ELLIOTT SMITH THE OLYMPIAN

SEATTLE -- Anthony Simmons emerged with his hands held high. Shaun Alexander strutted out with a confident smile. Shawn Springs pranced with an experienced air.

And Chad Eaton? Well, he came out on all fours.

"I'm not much of a model," the 6-foot-5 defensive lineman said with a sheepish grin.

But there Eaton and the others were Wednesday, showing off the latest change in a whirlwind offseason for the Seattle Seahawks -- new uniforms.

After 26 years of their distinctive blue-and-silver uniforms, the Seahawks are hoping a new look will add to the makeover of a team that has also changed logos, stadiums and conferences.

"It was a two-year process," Seattle vice president of marketing Duane McLean said. "We looked at 20 different colors and 50 shirt-and-pant combinations with different focus groups. Overwhelmingly, fans felt it was important to keep the connections with the original."

The Seahawks home jerseys are a navy blue, with distinctive piping called "Seahawks Green" along the neck and sleeves. The road jerseys are white, with blue patches around the sleeves. The pants are navy.

Both uniforms feature the new-look Seahawk, a snarling, active bird that replaced the pensive looking one of the past.

The Seahawks also featured two different helmets -- in the traditional silver and new-look blue -- that they want fans to select which one the players will wear.

"We've always believed that this team's ultimate success is tied to the community, and it is in that vein that we have decided to let the fans choose which helmet should complete our new look," Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt said. "The choice is important and we believe the fans deserve and have earned the right to choose."

The helmet caused a great deal of excitement Wednesday among the Seahawks fans assembled at the new stadium and even among the players. Former Seahawks star Warren Moon voted for the blue helmet, as did Eaton.

"Blue all the way," he said. "A lot of the guys like the blue. It really shows a bold change."

Members of the Seahawkers, the team's fan club, were at the unveiling, and they applauded wildly at the team's new look.

"I think it's really sharp," said Jon Wright, a 20-year season ticket holder. "When I first heard they were changing, I was like 'Oh, no.' I guess there was a little trepidation.

"But they did a good job. The logo looks angry. It looks like it could kick some butt. And I told someone that the new colors are playoff colors."

Elliott Smith covers sports for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5473 or ejsmith1@olympia.gannett.com

Seahawks helmets

- What: The Seahawks are holding a fan vote to determine the color of their new helmets. Fans can choose from a navy helmet or a silver one.

- How: Go to www.seahawks.com to view the helmets and vote there or call 800-460-8666. The contest runs through April 3.

For more local news go to the Local Sports section.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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