Listen Live
97.9 The Box Featured Video
CLOSE
superbowl Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
The Seattle Seahawks use the term “12th Man” referring to their fans, but the 12th man term was originated at Texas A&M in 1922.
In 1922, Texas A&M used their term 12th Man when as an underdog team, they played a top ranked team. During that game, the Aggies used all their reserves to pull the win out. They had a man not in uniform who was in the media box identifying the football players. It came down to using E. King Gill to play and he presence helped the Aggies win the game that day 22-14.

Now, the Seahawks uses the same term “12th man”, but their term refers to their fans, the 12th fan.The usage of the term did not come for free.
In 2006, the Seattle Seahawks paid Texas A&M, the licensor, $100,000 and gave $5,000 a year to continue the usage of the “12th Man”. Their agreement was renewed by the Seahawks in 2011 for five more years. In 2016, the term is up for renewal and we will have to see what happens than.
Check out the agreement that the Seahawks made with Texas A&M.