Across the globe, 12s are appreciated for their efforts in helping the Seahawks to victory every week. In 2020, the NFL launched its Fan of the Year program, aiming to recognize the passionate supporters and loyal fans of franchises from across the country. Each of the league's 32 teams honored one superfan with a special affinity for their team, rallying others and championing for their communities.
The 2021 Seahawks Fan of the Year was Snohomish native, certified nursing assistant and rabid-fan Teaka Salgado.
The 2022 Seahawks Fan of the Year is Washington native Larry Bevans. A season-ticket holder since 2009, Bevans commits to traveling to support the team on the road at least once a season (schedule-permitting), whether near (Los Angeles) or abroad (London - 2018). The head of the Southwest Washington Seattle SeaHawkers Booster Club is a voice to be heard among the many chants of 12s in the stands at Lumen Field. Bevans has been selected as a Seahawks fan that exemplifies the qualities the team asks of its personnel on and off the field. A focal point in the FOTY selection process was community outreach, as the Seahawks continue to make extended efforts to give back to the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
To understand Bevans' impact on the community, you have to enter the Bevans' home. Larry and wife Deanna have been foster parents for more than two decades, parenting children of need throughout the Seattle area. The couple partners with many of the area's local organizations for helping foster children like Boxes of Hope, who creates specialized care boxes for foster children discharged from hospitals. They've also worked with other non-profit organizations looking to aid foster children like Isabella’s Wake the World, but their efforts to give back extend to all. Aside from working and contributing from their own pockets, the Bevans' are excellent at corralling donors to noteworthy causes as such.
"Our way of raising money for all of our four charities is by organizing and facilitating Annual Classic Car Shows," said Bevans. "All monies raised and divided amongst our charities. This would include designing the flyers, attending other car shows in the area to pass out our flyers, collecting raffle prizes from business, setting up meetings, finding an area to hold the car show and working with that agency, ordering trophies, reaching out to vendors to attend. Raising nearly over $5000 towards our charities."
From handing out food to those in need on random weekdays or on Thanksgiving, to collaborating with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to give school supplies to children - Bevans is invested in the community. Somehow, he finds the balance to give that same effort to the Seahawks year after year.
Count on Bevans to keep the NFC-West division rivalry between the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers alive and well when bantering with the family who are supportive of the Bay Area team.
"Thankful and grateful that I get to represent the best team in the NFL," said Bevans. "Being "Hawktastic", having faith, showing up everyday with a positive attitude and to be the best person I can be while making a difference in the community. GO HAWKS!"
From volunteering at former Seahawk Russell Wilson’s Passing Academy at Nike HQ, to Seahawks Legend Doug Baldwin's receiver camp, Bevans is always around the team in navy and action green.
"I try to attend one away game a year," said Bevans. "I've traveled to the following places - London, New Orleans, Nashville, San Francisco, Green Bay, Los Angeles, Arizona. I have been a Seahawks season ticket holder since 2009, loud and proud. I love to banter back and forth with my family since they live in the Bay area and are all 49er fans. A family rivalry and I keep it going all-year-round. Go Hawks Baby!"
While an avid Portland Trail Blazers fan of the NBA, it's very clear what team holds his highest allegiance. He wants his bio to read "TRUE DIEHARD SEAHAWKS FAN" and for the 2022 season, he'll also be known as Seahawks Fan No. 1.
