Washington state should be considered very lucky to have the fortune of seeing NFL success with the Seattle Seahawks the last 16 years. In that time, they have been to three Super Bowls and winning one for the 2013 season. You wouldn't think they had trouble turning it around, but they did back in 1996/97 and Paul Allen became owner by buying the team. Unfortunately, he had just passed away at the age 65, joining former coach Chuck Knox among the few involved with Seattle football to pass in recent memory.
When they formed in 1976, the Seahawks were a punching bag, much like any expansion team. However, they were quick to improve by the end of the decade. Then, they struggled and when Knox came in 1983, their fortunes came with success and some playoff appearances. When the 90s rolled along, they were okay at first and then struggled. To paint the middle part of that decade, they weren't doing horribly, but not great either. It's stadium, the Kingdome, was starting to crumble a bit. They were a far cry from what they were in the 80s and threats of moving to another place were something that was common as many teams were going from one place to another in many sports.
Like a lot of cities, fans were outraged. There was a lot on the line for losing not just the Seahawks, but also the Mariners, who had a bit success with their 1995 season and getting into the ALCS before losing to the Cleveland Indians. Owner Ken Behring was trying what he could to get a team to California, but was stopped. The hopes of finding another person to buy the team seemed difficult, but they were able to find one in Allen. To keep in mind in 1997, this was one of the founders of Microsoft in the 70s and had only owned the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team for nine years beginning in 1988.
Whatever the case, Allen was willing to keep Seahawk football in Seattle, and he got his wishes. That meant stuff like a new stadium, which would become CenturyLink Field in 2002. Picking up actual talent at coaching, drafting the right players, and having the ideal general manager was needed and he got it. Whether it's Mike Holmgren or Pete Carroll, he knew who could lead them through the thick and thin.
There are many ways to consider Paul Allen as one of the greats. He and Bill Gates were pioneers of the computer and many great ideas for Microsoft. But he was also a guy that understood sports quite well and had the stepping blocks to build on a successful franchise. His contributions to the Seattle Seahawks made him a legend for his native city and the NFL. People will never forget him and the stuff to save professional football.
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