Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, May 5— about your Seattle Seahawks.
Geno Smith Joins The "Unbreakable" Podcast With Jay Glazer
With May being recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Seahawks continue to push forth efforts to break stigmas and initiate conversations towards progress. Transparency is a key component in expressing feelings and emotions, and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith has been outspoken about his journey to redemption in his career. This week, Smith joined FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer on his “Unbreakable” podcast to discuss his mental health fight.
Smith finished the 2022 season with a trip to the playoffs and an invite to the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas. But the seven seasons prior to Smith's glory year weren't always positive, as the West Virginia alum hadn't been a full-time starter since 2014 with the New York Jets. Through all of Seattle's highs and lows in the 2022 season, the 10-year veteran became a face for the city of Seattle on-and-off the field. Smith discussed the struggles throughout his years as a backup for multiple teams, as well as how he stayed motivated.
"I would say early on, I wasn't very optimistic, I wasn't very positive," Smith told Glazer. "You know I was kind of caught in the 'Why me?' phase—it was kind of a freak-accident and how things happened when I lost my job. When I came in, I was struggling on the team. And I wasn't playing as well as everyone expected me to. So it created this kind of standoffish demeanor where it was like 'Me against the world,' and if you're not with me, then forget you. But what I learned over time is that's very counterproductive to your mental state. You don't want to be in a place of negativity; things just don't work well that way. Maybe for some, but not for me. So, what I chose to do was I chose to flip it. I said, 'You know what? It's not about the obstacle, it's about how I respond to it.' And so, if I truly embrace it and say, 'Hey, this is unique to me, this is what I need to get to that next level, whether it's mental or physical, this is what I need.'"
At some point between Smith's three previous league stops before joining Seattle, things changed.
"I would say I had my son," said Smith. "My son is three now, so I had a baby, I was turning 30. It's like the middle of my life, no longer a 20-year-old. Starting to mature a little bit more. Overall, I just took control. You know how they say take life by the horns? You really have to do that. Until you change your mindset, and say 'I'm really going to grab ahold of this thing, I'm going to execute and do everything in my power to make it exactly the way I envision it.' I stopped looking at things in a negative manner, I stopped looking at the obstacles as something negative. I like to say it's like resistance on a weight bar. You need it to get stronger, and the more resistance, the stronger you get. You don't just keep the same amount of weight, you add weight to get stronger. That's kind of how life is, you get pushback so that you can get stronger, so that you can push further."
Smith's spirit certainly isn't broken heading into the 2023 season, but the road to peace solace wasn't easy. Tune in to the entire 25-minute conversation between Glazer and Smith here.
Social Post Of The Day
Former Pro Bowl receiver and I AM Athlete Host Brandon Marshall breaks down why Seahawks wideout Tyler Lockett is the most underrated wideout in the league.
More From Around The Web
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Mailbag: Will the Seahawks sign a veteran QB? What’s going on at receiver?
Matt Calkins of the Seattle Times: Broncos saved Seahawks from tough choice in draft, but is it for better or worse?
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Seattle Seahawks draft picks Bump & Stacy are most excited about.
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard: The Seattle Seahawks UDFA creating the most buzz.
Bri Amaranthus of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks Ranked Too Low in Post-Draft Power Rankings?
Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks GM John Schneider Scouts C Olu Oluwatimi, NFL Draft's 'Biggest Steal'.
Here at Seahawks.com, 23 numbers of note about the Seahawks’ 2023 draft class.
Also at Seahawks.com, fantasy insiders Scott Engel looks at the fantasy impact of the Seahawks adding receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
From the red carpet to center stage and beyond, take a look at photos from throughout cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's draft day in Kansas City.
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses on stage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba arrive prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud, and Texas running back Bijan Robinson pose together back stage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba applauds during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon takes the stage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Illinois Cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses with Seattle Seahawks fans after being selected as the fifth overall pick at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Images for NFL/Tyler Kaufman)
Illinois Cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses with Seattle Seahawks fans after being selected as the fifth overall pick at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Images for NFL/Tyler Kaufman)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrates after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrates after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
A graphic featuring Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is displayed during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon left, and Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, hold a team jersey after Witherspoon was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 5 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is interviewed during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
TCU Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses with Seattle Seahawks fans after being selected as the 20th pick at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Images for NFL/Tyler Kaufman)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
A graphic featuring Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is displayed during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba puts on a hat after being chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the 20th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell embrace during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba walks onto the stage after he was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 20 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell pose for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, left, and Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, hold a team jersey after Smith-Njigba was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 20 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses with his jersey during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
NFL Network's Stacey Dales interviews Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is interviewed during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
