CHRIS MATTHEWS AND FERNANDO RODNEY TEAM UP FOR A CELEBRITY SPORTS WEEKEND BENEFITING BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BELLEVUE

Chris Matthews 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Charity Auction, Fernando Rodney Softball Game and Charity Auction

The Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue will host a two-day sports celebrity weekend event to be held at the Foster Family Foundation Branch of Bellevue Boys & Girls Club at Hidden Valley Sports on July 11^th and 12th.

Saturday, July 11^th—Seahawk Chris Matthews will be joined by Jermaine Kearse, K.J. Wright, B. J. Daniels,

Seahawk QB Russell Wilson is a Real Role Model - Not MIA But Supporting New Teammate Jimmy Graham in Miami

[caption id="attachment_10267" align="alignright" width="300"] SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 23: (L-R) Seattle Seahwaks players Jimmy Graham, Doug Baldwin and Russell Wilson speak on stage during We Day at KeyArena on April 23, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images)[/caption]

Russell Wilson is a role model.  A GREAT role model.

Today the NFC Champion and America's Favorite Team, Seattle Seahawks begin OTAs (organized team activities) and every day, every meeting, every chance to compete is 'super' important to Wilson and this team.  Despite this being an important start to an important run towards the 2015 NFL season, Russell Wilson chose to fly to Miami with new teammate (and future favorite target) Jimmy Graham to support him at services for Tamara Myerson who was Graham's longtime mentor and manager, as well as an important mother figure in his life.

Condolences to Graham and the Myerson family.

Kudos to Russell Wilson for knowing what is most important in life - people.

Unfortunately, the kids at Children's Hospital in Seattle may have to wait until next Tuesday for Wilson to return to his regular visitation schedule.

Seahawks, Saints Swap Pro Bowlers

The first day of free agency in the NFL saw major stars sign historic deals, topnotch free agents leave teams they spent their careers with and jaw-dropping trades. The most unexpected and possibly the most impactful transaction on Tuesday wasn’t a free agent signing but instead involved a trade between the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks. New Orleans sent their Pro-Bowl TE Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for their Pro-Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round pick.

Seattle, considered the favorite to win Super Bowl 50 by affiliates of Gambling.com prior to the acquisition, is adding what many consider one of the top two tight-ends in the NFL who also happens to be one of the most productive overall pass-catchers in the league. Graham has been a monster at the tight-end position for the Saints since they drafted him in the third round of the 2010 draft producing 54 touchdowns in his first five seasons in the league. Considered an elite redzone threat, Graham will provide both a reliable target for Seattle within 20 yards of the goal line and an accomplished blocker if the Seahawks decide to hand the ball off to recently re-signed RB Marshawn Lynch.

New Orleans is most likely letting one of their franchise players go via trade to recoup value for a depreciating asset; Graham is in the second year of his four-year, $40 million deal but in the first year of the monster contract had his most unproductive season since his rookie campaign. Surprisingly, Graham did have 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season but those stats pale in comparison to his production over the past few seasons prior to his contract. Seattle is hoping Graham can return to his elite status in 2015 providing much needed support to a mediocre receiving core and keep the Seahawks competing for Super Bowls.

Trading Graham eliminated $7.9 million in cash due by the Saints in the form of a $5 million roster bonus due later this week and a $2.9 million base salary. But the cap space wasn’t the only benefit of letting Graham go; the Saints are receiving one of the best centers in the league in Unger and an always coveted first-round pick (31st overall). Seattle has traded its last two first-round picks for top talent banking on experience over potential. Unfortunately, the first time around didn’t go so well with the acquisition of the explosive Percy Harvin who has since left the team for the Jets, then was released this offseason.

Unger is a great pickup for New Orleans. The interior anchor for a dominate offense line in Seattle, the 28-year-old Unger has made two Pro Bowls since being drafted in the second-round by the Seahawks and will provide stability for an inconsistent Saints’ offensive front. The Saints also now have two first-round picks to help build around Unger.

Many experts consider this trade a win for both parties. Seattle needed more offensive power to combine with their suffocating defense, something Graham should surely provide, and the Saints’ needed to unload some cap space and sure-up a lousy offensive line. Despite one team favored to win the next Super Bowl and the other hoping to at least be competitive in a lowly NFC South, both franchises believe these moves have them headed in the right direction.

Seahawks to Retain and Refocus Marshawn Lynch, Help Him Represent as NFL's All-Time Single Season Rusher in 2015

[caption id="attachment_9841" align="alignright" width="300"] Marshawn Lynch Goes Beast Mode[/caption]

Breaking News:  The back to back NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks are expected to retain and refocus outspoken and unspoken running back Marshawn Lynch, coming to an agreement in the next couple of weeks.  To lure Lynch back for another season and run to the Super Bowl (and make amends for the fatal play call in the Super Bowl), the Seahawks will pledge to give Beast Mode the ball at least 30 times per game - and pay for any fines levied by the NFL for not speaking to the media.

Lynch has never carried 20 times a game over the course of a season in his storied NFL career.  The Seahawks and the 12s all expect giving Lynch the ball 30 times a game will result in a NFL Single Season Rushing Record for Marshawn Lynch

Even though it is annually assumed that he is going to retire every year, Beast Mode has a mission to carry out:  Win another Super Bowl, while eclipsing the Single Season Rushing Record of 2105 yards set by the LA Rams Eric Dickerson in 1984.  Marshawn Lynch owes it to himself and his legacy to not only play for the Seattle Seahawks in 2015, but prove himself out as the best ever and end his career back on top as Super Bowl Champion.  Nobody, especially Beast Mode, wants to retire as #2 - or #55.  Besides, Lynch is All About That Action, Boss.

Seattle Seahawks Still Champions

Despite falling 1 yard short from winning their 2nd consecutive Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks are still Champions.  They entertained us all season, they give back to the community in BIG ways - and they are still the Champions of the NFC.  They prepared well, they fought, they clawed and they scratched, coming up with amazing play after awesome play to get to the final minute of the big game.

What was amazing was how many of the Seahawks took the loss.  Sure it hurt - it wouldn't be right if it didn't.  Each guy took responsibility, placed no blame and it was really nobody's fault.  They all fought together the entire season.
They played for each other.  We were treated to a great game and a great season.

Thank you to the Seattle Seahawks - America's Favorite Team.

They will again have a great group of players next season, a super positive coach and are already favored to win the Super Bowl in 2016.  You know they will be prepared.  Just wait until next year ....

Seahawk Paul Richardson at Bartell Drugs' Bellevue Village store TODAY!

Washington--Three wide receivers from the World Champion Seattle Seahawks will run new, and very different, “routes” TODAY (Nov. 18) at three Bartell Drugs locations.

Helping to celebrate Bartell Drugs’ 125 years in the Puget Sound area, Seahawk players Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Paul Richardson will don Bartell Drugs’ signature red vests and walk the aisles greeting and assisting shoppers from noon to 1 pm.

Bartell Drugs has forged a new partnership with the Seahawks as the Seattle-based chain continues to deepen its roots in the community.

Player appearances at three Bartell locations on Nov. 18 include:

• Doug Baldwin, Lower Queen Anne (600 First Ave. N, Seattle), noon to 1 p.m.

• Jermaine Kearse, University Village (Seattle), noon to 1 p.m.

• Paul Richardson, Bellevue Village (10116 NE 8th St., Bellevue), noon to 1 p.m.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the three Bartell locations only, customers can receive a special “player card” (while supplies last) valid for a limited edition Seahawks t-shirt when purchasing $40 or more of products on November 18.

 

Celebrating its 125^th anniversary now through the end of 2015, Seattle-based Bartell Drugs owns and operates 63 locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Founded in 1890, it is the nation's oldest family-owned drugstore chain. For more information visit www.bartelldrugs.com.

Outerwall Announces #KioskSelfie Sweepstakes in the Pacific Northwest

Expanding on its partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, Outerwall Inc. recently announced the #KioskSelfie sweepstakes, an interactive social media campaign incorporating the company’s popular consumer brands: Redbox, America’s destination for new release movies and games at an incredible value; Coinstar, and ecoATM electronics recycling kiosks.

Currently open and running through December 1, 2014, eligible residents in Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Montana can enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to one of four World Champion Seattle Seahawks home games by taking a selfie with any one of Outerwall’s kiosks and entering the #KioskSelfie sweepstakes at http://bit.ly/1o9D6Ad.*

Four randomly selected winners will each receive a pair of tickets to one of four Seattle Seahawks home games held at CenturyLink Field (one winner per game):

• October 12 versus the Dallas Cowboys


• November 2 versus the Oakland Raiders


• November 23 versus the Arizona Cardinals


• December 28 versus the St. Louis Rams

“We know many of our loyal customers are devoted Seahawks fans,” said J. Scott Di Valerio, chief executive officer. “With a mission to create a better everyday, we want to reward our long-time customers – and entice new ones – by offering the 12s an opportunity to have the best Sunday, with tickets to a Seahawks home game. Go Hawks!”

Coinstar coin-counting kiosks allow people to trade in their coins for cash, No-Fee eCertificates, or donate money to charity. Coinstar’s newest yellow Coinstar^TM Exchange kiosk allows consumers to instantly exchange unused or partially used gift cards for cash. Consumers can find Coinstar kiosks in their local grocery stores or mass retailers, or locate a kiosk by visitinghttps://www.coinstar.com/kioskfinder.

Redbox offers new-release movie and video game rentals at an incredible value via conveniently located, self-service kiosks. To locate the closest kiosk, visit http://www.redbox.com/locations.

ecoATM is the only automated kiosk that pays instant cash for used and unwanted cell phones, tablets and MP3 players. To date, ecoATM kiosks have recycled 3 million devices, and that number is growing every day. Consumers can visithttp://www.ecoatm.com/locator/ to find an ecoATM kiosk.

*No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents 18+ in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends December 1, 2014. See official rules at www.outerwall.com/seahawks for details, including additional prizes and alternative methods of entry.