Sports

Seahawks Liken Football Game To Civil Rights Movement [AUDIO]

Mickey Hanley Contributor
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The Seattle Seahawks, led by quarterback Russell Wilson, pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory on Sunday.

Losing 19-7 with about four minutes remaining, the Seahawks scored 15 points in 44 seconds, in a sequence that included a recovered onside kick and a successful two-point conversion, before eventually winning in overtime. Jermaine Kearse’s game-winning touchdown catch sent CenturyLink Field, and the entire football world, into a frenzy. Just listen to the (NSFW) reaction of the broadcast team at Seahawks flagship radio station KIRO.

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Without question, it was an incredible finish, and the game’s conclusion led to an outpouring of polarized emotions. In the end zone, the Seahawks — most notably Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse — celebrated in ecstasy while Packers players looked on in agony.

Following the celebration, Russell Wilson took to twitter to share a quote from the late Jim Valvano. Valvano, formerly a college basketball coach, delivered an inspirational speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards, just eight weeks before succumbing to his short battle with cancer.

Known for his hard-working and humble attitude, Wilson is a highly respected athlete. However, his tweet inadvertently drew comparisons between playing a football game and fighting against cancer.

Less than 24 hours later, however, the Seahawks made another Twitter blunder. On Monday, which also happened to be Martin Luther King Day, the Seahawks official twitter account likened their hard-fought comeback to the Civil Rights Movement.

The account tweeted a picture of an emotional Russell Wilson next to a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. The quote read, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Perhaps the most cringeworthy aspect of the tweet was its accompanying text: “We shall overcome #MLKDay.” The tweet was removed shortly after.