{"id":45,"date":"2014-01-28T19:04:35","date_gmt":"2014-01-28T19:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.oslserves.org\/?p=45"},"modified":"2014-01-28T19:04:35","modified_gmt":"2014-01-28T19:04:35","slug":"super-bowl-blitz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.oslserves.org\/?p=45","title":{"rendered":"Super Bowl Blitz"},"content":{"rendered":"

The city is crazy with 12th<\/sup> man fever, and so are we. Everywhere you go in Seattle, you\u2019ll see blue and white 12 flags and Seattleites wearing 12 Fan Jerseys; everyone in Seattle seems to be embracing the Seahawks spirit. But did you know that the 12th<\/sup> man\u2019s origins go much deeper than being the loudest fans in nation? The 12th<\/sup> man was quite literally the spectator that was ready when called, to support his favorite team, at any cost.<\/p>\n

One of the earliest usages of the \u201c12th <\/sup>man\u201d came on January 2nd<\/sup>, 1922, when Texas A & M played Centre College, then a national powerhouse in college football. Arriving as underdogs, the Texas A & M squad played everyman on their roster until they were depleted. In need of another player, in case of injury, the coach turned to the fans for support. E. King Gill, an ardent supporter, stepped up to become the \u201c12th<\/sup> Man\u201d. Though Gill ended up not playing in the game, his willingness to step up and support helped Texas A & M win, against the odds.<\/p>\n

Just like Gill, the fans of the Seattle Seahawks are infamous for the way their support changes the dynamic of the game. The 12th<\/sup> men of the Seahawks aren\u2019t only spectators; they\u2019re people who shift the momentum of the game. The 12th<\/sup> man is so effective that on November 27th<\/sup>, 2005, the Seahawk\u2019s head coach dedicated the game ball to the 12th<\/sup> man. In this year\u2019s drive to the Super Bowl, the vocal support that the 12th<\/sup> man makes has been associated with the Seahawk\u2019s success. The 12th<\/sup> man is so distracting for the other team that one opponent stated that in the Clink \u201cYou can barely hear yourself think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Founded by Beverly Graham, OSL heeded the call to become the 12th<\/sup> Man for Seattle\u2019s hungry in 1989. Our first meals were served at Occidental Park, in Seattle\u2019s Pioneer Square neighborhood. Since then, our area of operations has expanded to include meal service throughout much of Seattle and parts of the greater Puget Sound region. Through our Food in Motion Program, we provide nutritional support to thousands of people, from Lake City to Renton and West Seattle to the Eastside. From our original epicenter in the Pioneer Square neighborhoods, OSL works to shake up hunger and shift the needle towards food security and stability for every Seattlelite, every day.<\/p>\n

Throughout history, the 12th<\/sup> man has truly played a pivotal role shaping the outcome of games and standing for their fellow man. That\u2019s why this week; OSL is calling you to join our team against hunger. \u00a0Just as the 12th<\/sup> man stands behind the Seahawks, we need you to stand behind the OSL team, which goes head to head with poverty every day. \u00a0\u00a0Until Midnight on Monday February 3rd<\/sup>, OSL is looking to the 12th<\/sup>Man to Blitz hunger and provide thousands of more meals to more of our hungry neighbors. Our goal of $12,000 will ensure that thousands of more meals will reach those who are challenged with hunger in our community.<\/p>\n

So how can you be a 12th man Against Hunger?<\/p>\n