Just under a year ago, Seahawks safety Julian Love was away from the team leading up to a December game, awaiting the birth of his son. Love made it to his team's next game, barely, flying separate from the team a day after the rest of his teammates flew to Nashville, and in the whirlwind of a year that has followed, Love has come to appreciate the perspective his son, Noah, has brought to his life, while also playing some of the best football of his career.
So a day after Mike Macdonald became a dad, Love's best advice for his head coach is to just appreciate the perspective that this huge life change will bring to Macdonald and his wife, Stephanie.
"The main thing is, having a kid gave me so much perspective on everything I was doing," Love said. "Before, it was like football was my only thing I really had to think about and focus on, it was my end all, be all. Now, no matter what happens in the day, good or bad, I go home somewhat happy at least because I have the baby there and I can play with him and just forget about what happened throughout the day, and know I just have to be present for him. and it's been so freeing this past year of my son's life to have that.
"That's the biggest thing, he'll learn it—you just naturally feel it. He mentioned today, he was seeing in black and white before, but now he feels like he sees in color. It is kind of that, something's unlocked in you."
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV became a father this summer, just the beginning of a very eventful few months that saw him get traded twice before settling down in Seattle to become a key piece in Seattle's defense. As a new dad himself, Jones said the key for his coach will be patience.
"Patience," Jones said. "Patience is key. All they want is mom at first anyway, so you're kind of pointless for a while. But patience."
Cornerback Tre Brown, who has a 3-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, agreed with Jones on the importance of patience, and also said his coach should be ready for middle-of-the-night baby duty.
"You might not do things in the daytime, but you will be up at night time, I tell you that," Brown said. "But the advice I give, you're going to learn patience that you didn't think you had, and it's going to translate out into the real world. You'll see how patient you'll become with certain things that you've been impatient with, because you're dealing with a kid.
"It's going to bring out your inner child again. You're going to really have fun."
Guard Laken Tomlinson, meanwhile, offered some practical advice in the form of a couple of must-have products for him and his wife.
"Man, I tell this to all my new dads—you've got to get a SNOO (bassinet), and you got to get a Doona, it's like a baby carrier car seat, and it's super easy to install in your car."
The Seahawks returned to the practice field on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center as they prepare for an upcoming Week 14 matchup at the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) and kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Miles Boykin (81) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (17) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
