When it came time for starting lineups to be introduced prior to Seattle's Week 17 game against the 49ers, Travis Homer wasn't sure what Marshawn Lynch was up to.
Moments later, at Lynch's suggestion, those two running backs, along with Robert Turbin, all ran onto the field together, Lynch's way of sharing what could have been a big moment for himself in his first game as a Seahawk since the 2015 season.
"That was Marshawn's (idea)," Homer said. "I didn't really know what he was doing at first because he didn't really explain it, but when I saw what was going on, I was like, 'OK, this is pretty cool.'"
And it wasn't just that Lynch wanted to share that moment with his fellow running backs, he likely also recognized that Homer deserved a moment in the spotlight because the rookie running back was about to have the biggest game of his young NFL career.
Starting for the first time in his professional career, Homer led the Seahawks with 62 yards on 10 carries, and added 30 more receiving yards on five catches. Yes, Lynch's return was the big story last week, but Homer's play was just as significant for Seattle's offense going forward.
Homer played so well, in fact, that Lynch told the rookie he was inspired by him on the sideline during the game.
"I'm feeding off of you," Lynch could be heard telling Homer on footage shown on Seahawks All Access. "… You're inspiring me right now. Keep inspiring me. Keep inspiring me, all right?"
Lynch then offered some in-game coaching, telling Homer, "When you get to contact, try to knee yourself in the chin so you step out of it."
Homer hearing that from Lynch, "was definitely a cool moment for me. To have one of the greatest come up to me and say what he said, I took that to heart."
To Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, that moment was another example of how Lynch has come in and embraced being a good teammate and a mentor to younger players.
"It's kind of a classic mentoring moment when the guy that you look up to—and Homer does look up to him for years and years when he was growing up, he made that comment that Marshawn was a big deal to him—to have that kind of willingness on the part of 24 to share himself and share his scars and all that and pump him up and all, praise him, too, it's really powerful," Carroll said. "It's a real tribute to Marshawn."
With Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise all on injured reserve, the Seahawks needed somebody to step up if they were going to be able to maintain their style of offense, and Homer showed he has the ability to do that for the Seahawks.
"He's got a really good style and attitude about running the ball," Carroll said. "He's just downhill and gives you everything he's got. That suddenness really is an asset. We love the way he plays. Love the style of his play."
As much as Carroll loves Homer's style as a physical though undersized back, he asked the sixth-round pick out of Miami to tone it down a bit in Week 16 when Carson and Prosise both left the game with injuries, leaving Homer as the team's only healthy running back for more than a half.
"He's throwing his body at it about as much as a guy can do it," Carroll said. "When we had the two running backs hurt, he gets the next carry and he gets the ball going up the sidelines, he just crushed into the guys going out of bounds. I'm going, 'Homer, no!' Because he's all we had. I told him, I said, 'look, you have to pick your spots here because we don't have any depth.' He looked at me like, there ain't no way. He didn't listen to a word I said. He was going to go downhill and that's the way he plays. I love it about him. Discretion isn't really going to be one of his strengths."
Homer becoming Seattle's starting back seemed highly unlikely only a few weeks ago as he held a regular role on special teams, but never saw the field on offense behind Carson, Penny and Prosise. But like any backup waiting for his moment, Homer stayed ready, and eventually got his moment last weekend, responding with a strong performance that was so good, it inspired a legend.
"I wasn't expecting this, but you've just got to be ready for anything," Homer said. "We do a good job in the running back room to make sure everyone knows everything. Everyone helps out a lot."
Everyone, including one of the best running backs of his era.
"He was giving me tips all throughout the week, just telling me what he has seen what I can do, this and that," Homer said. "… He's a great dude. I'm glad I got the opportunity to learn below him."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson enters the locker room on Sunday afternoon.
Offensive guard D.J. Fluker makes a fashionable entrance on game day.
On the field, Seahawks linebacker and defensive captain Bobby Wagner goes through his early warmups under the watchful eye of defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.
Wearing his Bose headphones, quarterback Russell Wilson takes the field for his early warmup throws.
Receiver David Moore leaps to make a catch during warmups.
Seahawks safety Lano Hill warms up on the field during pregame.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin stretches as he prepares for the game.
Seahawks newly-signed running back Robert Turbin greets former NFL player Chad ÒOchocincoÓ Johnson on the field before the game.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald wore these custom shoes honoring the NBAÕs now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics during his pregame routine.
Seahawks Marshawn Lynch and Luke Willson during pregame.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner makes an impassioned speech to the team before they take the field.
Quarterback Russell Wilson greets teammates as they prepare for pregame introductions.
Marshawn Lynch, who only recently re-signed with the team, prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Running backs Travis Homer, Robert Turbin and Marshawn Lynch entered the field as a trio during pregame introductions.
Early in the game, Seahawks Quinton Jefferson and Rasheem Green pressure 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, resulting in a sack.
12s bring the noise for the defense during the first half.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers sacks 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the first quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson fires a pass in the first half.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch found room for a five-yard gain on his first carry back with the team.
Seahawks defensive end Ziggy Ansah drags down 49ers ballcarrier Tevin Coleman for no gain.
Former teammates with the Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch and the 49ers Richard Sherman chat during a break in the action.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer finds running room during the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf catches a pass along the left sideline during the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson spots receiver Tyler Lockett crossing over the middle in the second quarter.
Receiver Tyler Lockett is brought down at the end of a 10-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright hits 49ers running back Matt Breida in the backfield that was ruled an incomplete pass after being reviewed by officials.
defensive line coach Clint Hurtt discusses strategy during the break.
Defensive players sit and listen as assistant coach Clint Hurtt discusses strategy during the break.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari listens as guard D.J. Fluker talks during halftime.
Seahawks quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith review plays on their Microsoft Surface with quarterbacks coach Dave Canales.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright brings down 49ers tight end George Kittle in the third quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles away from 49ers defender Nick Bosa.
12s were loud all night during the regular season finale.
Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch finds open space to the right during the second half.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett celebrates after his touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer looks for room amid a trio of 49ers defenders.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett looks for more yardage after a reception in the fourth quarter as Seattle mounted a comeback.
SeattleÕs DK Metcalf ends up just short of the goal line during a fourth quarter drive.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch goes over the top of the blocks by Jamarco Jones and Mike Iupati to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
This young 12 Òall-inÓ as the Seahawks mounted a second half comeback.
SeattleÕs DK Metcalf uses his size and jumping ability to catch this 14-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin makes a tackle late in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks for a receiver on the final drive of the game.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister is unable to make a reception in the end zone late in the game as he is hit by a 49ers defender.
On the Seahawks final play from scrimmage, tight end Jacob Hollister caught a pass near the goal line. Seahawks players and coaches react as the replay is shown on the big screen and officials reviewed the call.
Seahawks players Russell Wilson, Bradley McDougald, and Tyler Lockett listen to head coach Pete Carroll inside the quiet locker room after the game.
Seahawks veteran receiver Tyler Lockett speaks to the team after the game.
The Seahawks gather around quarterback and captain Russell Wilson in the locker room after the game.
