Making his Seahawks debut on Monday night, outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu came away from the experience very impressed with the support from the fans at Lumen Field.
"It was sensational, man," Nwosu said. "You hear about it all the time, but to experience it for yourself is something different. That crowd was amazing today, they were great for us. They really helped us out there. We appreciate them so much."
After Nwosu's performance in Monday's 17-16 win over the Broncos, Seahawks fans no doubt appreciate Nwosu as well. And after a standout performance in which he recorded a sack, seven tackles, a crucial forced fumble and a pass defensed, Nwosu was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Nwosu was so good Monday night that he even made a spectacular play that didn't count, shooting into the backfield to blow up a running play just as the play was being blown dead for a false start. As for the plays that did show up on the stat sheet, Nwosu not only recorded his first sack as a Seahawk when he ran down a scrambling Russell Wilson at the sideline, he also came through with one of the biggest plays of the game, forcing a fumble at the goal line to deny the Broncos in the red zone for the second straight time in the third quarter.
"He was physical and tough and making stuff happen," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after the game. "Had the sack. Had the big hit and forcing a fumble, and he was a problem. He played great. He really did. Thrilled that he was able to be that impacting."
Nwosu, who signed with Seattle in March as a free agent after spending his first four seasons with the Chargers, didn't become a starter until his final season in L.A. Now that he's with a new team and in a starting role, he's ready to show that he's still just scratching the surface when it comes to the type of player he can be.
"They brought me here for a reason," he said. "I kind of feel like I was not perceived as the player I think I am, and I have to go out there and show it. As many times as I have to do it, I'll do it. To be able to do it in a place like this, with the crowd behind you like that, it's surreal and I'm grateful for the opportunity."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from Week 1's thrilling Monday Night Football victory over the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Ed Rogers properly inflates pregame kicking balls to league standards hours before kickoff of the Monday Night Football game between the Seahawks and the visiting Denver Broncos.
The Seahawks gather in the center of the locker room before taking the field for early warmups.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant reunites with former teammates whom he played with as a member of the Broncos before arriving in Seattle via trade.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith warms up in the later autumn light of Lumen Field.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly visits briefly former teammate Russell Wilson on the field during pregame.
Center Austin Blythe spends a moment with his family on the sidelines before heading to the locker room pregame.
Seahawks legends Cliff Avril and Richard Sherman share a laugh as they are shown on the big screen during pregame.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf hugs his mother Tonya Metcalf as he leaves the field after pregame warmups.
Seahawks receivers Dareke Young, Bo Melton, Tyler Lockett sit at their lockers before leaving the locker room for the Monday Night Football game.
Seahawks offensive captain Tyler Lockett talks to the team before heading to the field.
Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas is focused as during pregame introductions.
Seahawks receiver Penny Hart carries the 12 Flag as the Seahawks enter the field for the first time in the 2022 regular season.
Pyrotechnics explode as two military jets perform a flyover during the singing of the national anthem during pregame festivities.
Seahawks special teams captain Nick Bellore greets former teammate Russell Wilson at midfield for the opening coin toss.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly races to the end zone on a 38-yard touchdown reception from Geno Smith on the game's opening drive.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith celebrates after throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Will Dissly on the game's opening drive.
Seahawks fans brought the noise for all four quarters.
Head coach Pete Carroll celebrates a play in the first half.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams forces Denver's Russell Wilson into throwing an incomplete pass.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith scrambles in the first half.
Tight end Colby Parkinson celebrates after scoring the first touchdown of his career, a 25-yard reception from Geno Smith in the second quarter.
Seahawks fans show out for the Action Green season opener.
Seattle linebacker Cody Barton sacks Russell Wilson.
Aloe Blacc performed a halfime concert at midfield.
Aloe Blacc's saxophone player sported Seahawks sunglasses during the halftime concert.
Seahawks Josh Jones and Cody Barton make a stop in the red zone.
Seattle's Uchenna Nwosu celebrates after a red zone stop.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson prepares to recover a fumble in the red zone.
Seattle's DK Metcalf finds room after the catch.
Seahawks fans let Broncos receiver K.J. Hamler know the pass in the end zone was incomplete.
The ball comes loose in near the goal line again as Uchenna Nwosu (10) causes a fumble.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson shrugs after recovering his second fumble of the game.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor is carried by a Broncos lineman as causes Denver's Russell Wilson to leave the pocket.
Seattle's special teams tries to block a Denver field goal from 64-yards that missed, sealing the win for the Seahawks.
Seahawks Jordyn Brooks, Al Woods and Darryl Johnson celebrate after a missed field goal by Denver in the final minute.
Safety and captain Quandre Diggs celebrates after a missed Denver field goal sealed the Week 1 victory for the Seahawks.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reacts after the clock runs out on Seattle's 17-16 victory in Week 1 over the Denver Broncos.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and his former teammate Russell Wilson greet each other at midfield after the game.
Seahawks fans had to get used to seeing Russell Wilson in a different uniform but Seattle prevailed in a 17-16 victory.
The Seahawks dance and celebrate in the locker room in the moments after the victory over the Broncos.
